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Coastal Geography of Sankarpur, Dadanpatrabar, Digha and Ramnagar Blocks
Coastal Geography of Sankarpur, Dadanpatrabar, Digha and Ramnagar Blocks
Coastal Geography of Sankarpur, Dadanpatrabar, Digha and Ramnagar Blocks
Following persons & organizations are acknowledged for their help cooperation at different stages of the
Dissertation Work based on field work (2009):-
Finally, we also acknowledge the help & cooperation provided by my family members for the preparation of field
report.
X
Signature
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Introduction
Location of the study area:- Our study area is located in the coastal area in the coastal part of Purba Medinipur
distirict of West Bengal & at the northern part of Bay of Bengal. The area is in the sandy coastal plain of the
southern part of West Bengal. The area is bounded by Orissa coastal area in the northern side; Rasulpur river in the
eastern side; Orissa on the Western side; Bay of Bengal on the southern side. The latitudinal and longitudinal extent
of Purba Medinipur is respectively.The East-West length of the area is about 50Km. and north-south extension is
about 5-10Km.
Description of the study area:- The area of the district is 4259sq. Km.(2001 census). Tamluk is the district
headquarters. The population of the district is 4417377 (2001 census).The population density is 1028 persons/sq.
Km. (2001 census).There are 25 blocks. Our study area included 3 blocks:-
• Ramnagar -I,
• Ramnagar -II,
• Contai -I.
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Physiography of the study area:- It’s a low lying coastal area of West Bengal. The region is mainly composed by
sand but clay layer can be found under the sand layer. This shoreline is quite hard. The wester part of the area near
Digha is erosional in nature while it is depositional in nature in the eastern part near Junput. The area is 1.7 to 3 m
above the mean seal level. All coastal sectors are characterized by the location of various sand dune rows and
series of beach ridges. The height of the sand dunes is ranging from 6m to 15m from the mean sea level.
River system of the study area:- the eastern part of the region is bordered by Rasulpur river. This river is small
in length and non-perennial. There are few small rivers like Pichabani, Jatra etc some wetlands are found in the
dune area. Coastal plain area is divided into 4 main tidal channels:-
• Pichabani Estuary;
• Jaldah Estuary;
• Digha Estuary;
• Jatra Nala.
Soil of the area:-The soil type of this area is influenced by saline water of the sea. The soil is salty and sandy in
nature so the water holding capacity is low. The study area is characterized by 3 major groups of soil type:-
• Sandy soil;
• Clayey soil;
• Loamy soil.
Hydrologic characteristics:- It’s characteristics along the coastal belt can be categorized as :-
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• Open sea water with tidal rise and fall and development of the wind waves
Climate:- The study area is located in the tropical hot and humid climate .the summer is very hot. It extends from
March to June. Rainy season extends usually from June to November and finally winter extends from December to
February. Summer temperature ranges between 22 degree to 35 degree Celsius and winter temperature ranges
between 18 degree and 20 degree Celcius. Wind direction changes according to the arrival of the monsoon. South-
West monsoon blows in summer and rainy season while north-east monsoon blows in winter season. However, the
wind velocity and direction of the coastal belts are also affected by the influence of land breeze and sea
breeze.Climatic extremes are followed by the attack of tropical cyclones in the monsoon season and Nor’ wester in
the pre-monsoon season.
Vegetation:- Coastal vegetation types differ on the basis of salt tolerance capacity. For this reason, the study area
is also characterized by Mesophytes, halophytes and xerophytes types of vegetation. Mesophytes are located on
the coastal plains. Halophytes are distributed on the tidal flats of the river mouths, tidal channels, coastal
backwaters and embayment. Xerophytes are found on the coastal sand dunes. Among the plants many exotic
species are also dominant in different parts of the plains.
Population pressure:- Coastal areas attract many people of inland areas for habitation due to multiple economic
options and easy access to the natural resources. For this reason, the population density ranges between 4000-
5000 persons per sq. Km. in the coastal belt areas. If population density increases rapidly then wilderness of the
coastal belt will be modified by the different activities of the human population.
Major economy and occupations:- There are 4 major economic options in the coastal belt:-
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There are also major occupations run by local people on the basis of livelihood support system such as agricultural
labourers, fishing operators, transport and travelling companies, salt manufacturers, hoteliers, vegetable gardeners
etc. Marginal economy also exists on the basis of available resources.
Objectives of the study:- Following objectives are documented for the present study:-
Methods of the study:-The method of the study can be tabulated in the following ways for the categorization for
different stages of field work:-
Mapping and measurements of Beach profile surveys across the shorelines of Analysis of primary data
different features of the study area the different sectors
Procuring Toposheets from Survey Near shore geomorphologic mapping using Use of primary and secondary
of India and C.D. Block maps the dumpy level, clinometers, measuring data for plotting the diagrams.
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tapes.
Procuring Thematic maps of the Recording the wind velocity using digital Consultation of satellite image
study area anemometer data of the study area.
Collection of census and climate Measuring coastal waves and tides on the Report writing and submission
data coastal stations of the field documents
Identification of coastal vegetation types
Taking pictures related to our study of the
study area
Page 6 of 32
m) on
4:10 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 4. 5. 5. 5. 4. SW
6 5 2 3 4 6 5 1 0 1
4:20 0. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 1. 1. SE
8 1 3 4 5 7 9 0 9 7
4:30 4. 5. 3. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. SE
3 7 1 9 4 6 7 9 8 7
4:40 1. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. SE
2 3 7 8 6 4 5 5 6 4
4:50 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. SE
8 2 3 5 1 5 5 5 3 2
5:00 1. 1. 1. 2. 2. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. SE
3 7 9 0 2 8 5 5 7 5
5:10 2. 1. 1. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. SE
0 9 8 0 3 4 4 4 5 1
5:20 1. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 3. 2. 3. SE
9 0 2 1 3 7 1 1 9 1
5:30 1. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. SE
9 0 2 3 8 9 3 3 5 1
5:40 1. 1. 1. 2. 2. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. SW
3 6 9 3 7 9 2 2 3 4
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Fluctuation of wind velocity and direction at Dadanpatrabar
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The Littoral Environment observation
➢ Station: Udaipur
➢ Date: 21.03.2009
➢ Time(24 hrs. system): 16:15
➢ Surf Observations:
1) Wave period: 13/minutes
2) Breaker height: 1.6m
3) Breaker type: Spilling breaker
➢ Long shore currents:
1. Dye distance: 15 m
2. Current speed: 2 km/hour
3. Current direction: NE
➢ Rip currents (rip channel spacing in meters )
➢ Station: Dadanpatrabar
➢ Date: 22.03.2009
➢ Time(24 hrs. system): 09:00
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➢ Surf Observations:
1) Wave period: 12/minutes
2) Breaker height: 1.6 m
3) Breaker type: Spilling breaker
➢ Long shore currents:
1. Dye distance: 11 m
2. Current speed: 2.6 km/hour
3. Current direction: SW to NE
➢ Rip currents (rip channel spacing in meters )
➢ Station: Sonamohi
➢ Date: 22.03.2009
➢ Time(24 hrs. system): 11:15
➢ Surf Observations:
1) Wave period: 9/minutes
2) Breaker height: 1.5 m
3) Breaker type: Spilling breaker
➢ Long shore currents:
1. Dye distance: 15 m
2. Current speed: 3.4 km/hour
3. Current direction: SW to NE
➢ Rip currents (rip channel spacing in meters )
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(if absent record 0): 15 m
➢ Station: Talsari
➢ Date: 22.03.2009
➢ Time(24 hrs. system): 16:20
➢ Surf Observations:
1) Wave period: 9/minutes
2) Breaker height: ---
3) Breaker type: Spilling breaker
➢ Long shore currents:
1. Dye distance: 20 m
2. Current speed: 4.6 km/hour
3. Current direction: NE to SW
➢ Rip currents (rip channel spacing in meters )
Page 11 of 32
Annual fishing operations at Udaipur, Talsari and Dadanpatrabar
Types of fishing net Monofil net Monofil – 65 cm,70 cm, 75 cm. Kul Bandi net
all types of
fish can be
caught
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Time of fishing operation Throughout the year (mid Throughout the year (mid July to mid Through the
and maximum catch July to mid Sept.) Sept.) year (Sept. to
Feb.
maximum)
Closing month of fishing April to May August-September (mid April to mid End of Feb. to
June by Orissa Govt. order) March
Fish catch types Hilsha Hilsha, Parse Hilsha Hilsha, Pomphret, Gurjali, Shrimps
Mackerel
Environmental Impact assessment of farm fishing at Digha Sankarpur coastal sector,Kanthi coastal
plain W.B.
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2006 2009 2006 2009
Area under fish farms 900 acre 910 acre 700 acre under W.B.O 700 acre under W.B.O
Area under wetlands 5 bighas 5 bighas 1000 acre under salt 1000 acre under salt
(salt marshes,tidal flats) factory factory
Length and height of the 8 Km. main 8 Km. main 1700 acre in length 1700 acre in length
protective embankment embankment length and 10 ft. height and 10 ft. height
embankments length 15 ft deep 15 ft deep
Changing depth of tidal Sankarpur Sankarpur 30ft. near Jaldah,40 ft. 30ft. near Jaldah,40 ft.
estuary and other tidal estuary,depth 15 estuary,depth 25 ft. near Shola near Shola
creeks ft.
Presence of piled spoils less more Side of estuary and on Side of estuary and on
on the banks of the embankment embankment
channel
Number of homesteads 23 20 43 45
on the wetland fringes
Changing plant types More trees like Less than yr. 2006 Few plants More trees like-
Akanda Potash,Gama
Changing sediment Less deposition More deposition More deposition Less deposition due to
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types presence of trees
Elevation of the marsh 18 ft. from mean 18 ft. from mean 20 ft. from mean sea 20 ft. from mean sea
surface sea level sea level level level
Identify the source Eutrophicated fish Eutrophicated fish Channels are logged Channels are logged
points of pollutants into pond pond by water,no proper by water,no proper
the wetland and connection to the sea connection to the sea
channels
Rate of shoreline erosion More erosion Less erosion due to Less erosion more erosion due to
and exposure if day embankment embankment
banks on the dune base
Area of the dune More dunes Less dune due to More dunes Less dunes
breaches and over wash wave erosion and
fans human activities
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Beach Rating Questionnaire
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3 Beach condition Erosional √ Depositional
7 Air temperature √
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14 Pests Common √ No Problem
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25 Life guards None √ Present
28 Beach festival √
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4 Sands softness Hard √ Soft
7 Air temperature √
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15 Smell Bad odours √ Fresh Salty
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26 Safety Some None √
records(deaths)
28 Beach festival √
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4 Sands softness Hard √ Soft
7 Air temperature √
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15 Smell Bad odours Fresh Salty √
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26 Safety Some √ None
records(deaths)
28 Beach festival √
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5 Colour of sand Grey Black Brown Lighten √ White/Pink
7 Air temperature √
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17 Presence of sea Large √ None
walls amount
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crime)
28 Beach festival √
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4 Sands softness Hard√ Soft
7 Air temperature √
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15 Smell Bad odours √ Fresh Salty
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26 Safety Some √ None
records(deaths)
28 Beach festival √
Major Findings:-
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tidal basins of the past marine terrace reveal the typical raised surface features of the Bay of Bengal coast.
All the linear features are parallel to present day shoreline.
The dune row presence first shoreline of the strand plain surface and longer phase of the regressive sea. The
eastward extension of the Ramnagar beach ridges is restricted by the presence of dominant tidal basin of the
Holocene period around the region. Surface height of the beach ridges ranges from 3.5m to 4.6m above sea
level. Two or three rows of closed spacing dunes separated by linear tidal valleys represent the Digha surface
of present bay shoreline. The 2 successive sand dunes are lying over the 2 significant terrace surface.the
beach fringed dune row is continuous along the repent shoreline along the Digha, Sankarpur and
Dadanpatrabar.
Subarnarekha estuarine delta is western most unit of the topographic expression in the present coastal belt.
Subarnarekha delta has advanced seaward with the formation of a series of Chenier beach ridges. Recently
Chenair formation is very active in the eastern side of lower estuarine. There are 6 successive Chenair ridges
and 4 beach ridges within the distance of 4 ½ Km from Chandaneswar to Talsari at the eastern sector of the
delta plain.
Chenair beach ridges and sand ridges extend towards west and east of the older delta plain surface but recent delta
Chenair ridhes and sand ridges have extended towards east of the lower estuary.
References
Paul A.K.(2002) Coastal Geomorphology & Environment, ACB publications, Kolkata, page 39-105.
Paul A.K. et al (2003) Environment management Hugli Subarnarekha Delta, Indian Journal of
Geography and Environment, V.U. Medinipur pp. 1-27;
O. Mally. L(1914):District gazetteer of Medinipur, Govt. of West Bengal, Alipur pp.22-200;
Census of India (2001):Medinipur East, Ramnagar I, Ramnagar II, Digha and Contai population data.
Woodroffe, C.D. (2002):Coasts: Form Process and Evolution, Cambridge University Press.
Richard A. Davis IR and Duncan M. Fitzgerald (2002) beaches and coasts, Blackwell publishing.
Pethik,John (1984):An introduction to coastal geomorphology. Arnold-Heinemann;
Ivan Valiela (2006):Global coastal change, Blackwell publishing.
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