Scholarlink

The Garhbeta badlands along the Shilabati River represent a rapidly degrading landscape where intense human activities are accelerating natural denudation processes. This study evaluates how deforestation, mining, and unsustainable agriculture are transforming the region's geomorphic characteristics, threatening the fragile ecosystem. Using remote sensing (Landsat, Sentinel-2), GIS analysis, and field surveys, we quantified: (1) erosion rates through RUSLE modeling, (2) gully expansion using multi-temporal satellite data (2010–2023), and (3) land cover changes via NDVI analysis. Field measurements validated sediment yield and slope instability patterns. Main findings of this work are centered on three points: (a) Soil loss rates reached 24.6 t/ha/yr in mined areas versus 8.3 t/ha/yr in undisturbed zones; (b) Gully networks expanded by 15% since 2015, with headcuts advancing 1.8 m/yr; and (c) Deforestation reduced vegetation cover by 40%, increasing runoff by 35%. The Shilabati River basin exhibits severe geomorphic alteration from anthropogenic pressures. Urgent implementation of afforestation, regulated mining, and community-based conservation is needed to restore ecological balance in this vulnerable badland ecosystem.

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

The Interplay of Natural Denudation and Anthropogenic Activities in the Garhbeta Badlands (Silabati River, West Bengal): A Comprehensive Analysis of Geomorphic Changes over the Last Decade

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

查看全文
  • Lopamudra Ganguly,
  • Hasiba Nasrin,
  • Subhadip Mondal,
  • Saptadipa Chakraborty,
  • Ranjita Mondal

摘要

The Garhbeta badlands along the Shilabati River represent a rapidly degrading landscape where intense human activities are accelerating natural denudation processes. This study evaluates how deforestation, mining, and unsustainable agriculture are transforming the region's geomorphic characteristics, threatening the fragile ecosystem. Using remote sensing (Landsat, Sentinel-2), GIS analysis, and field surveys, we quantified: (1) erosion rates through RUSLE modeling, (2) gully expansion using multi-temporal satellite data (2010–2023), and (3) land cover changes via NDVI analysis. Field measurements validated sediment yield and slope instability patterns. Main findings of this work are centered on three points: (a) Soil loss rates reached 24.6 t/ha/yr in mined areas versus 8.3 t/ha/yr in undisturbed zones; (b) Gully networks expanded by 15% since 2015, with headcuts advancing 1.8 m/yr; and (c) Deforestation reduced vegetation cover by 40%, increasing runoff by 35%. The Shilabati River basin exhibits severe geomorphic alteration from anthropogenic pressures. Urgent implementation of afforestation, regulated mining, and community-based conservation is needed to restore ecological balance in this vulnerable badland ecosystem.