Sundarban embankments- A study along Suryaberiya river, Sambhunagar island, Gosaba, West Bengal

The Sundarban (21° N to 21°30˝N, 88° E to 88°29˝E) is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world, having a diverse range of flora, fauna and hapless inhabitants. The Sundarban is facing the dire consequences of a premature reclamation for the want of agricultural land. This reclamation has come about with the construction of embankments which reduces the spill areas of the rivers and causes in channel sedimentation. This in turn raises the river bed and in comparison to that the settlements are low making them liable to get flooded whenever the embankments breach. This is a frequent occurrence here causing much hardship. This paper takes into account the incidences of embankment breaching and its possible management options in Sambhunagar of Gosaba block in Indian Sundarban. On the basis of measurements of present embankments, data collection from satellite images, preparation of river cross profiles and questionnaire surveys, the present scenario of the extent of breach has been studied. The incidences of outmigration of people, occupational shifts and the conversion of people into environmental refugees have been identified and possible management options like construction of porcupine meshes, mangrove regeneration and construction of flood shelters have been taken into account.