Kolkata: Manchester University’s Geography Department, in collaboration with Presidency University and North Bengal University, recently surveyed five rivers in West Bengal.
Entitled “Eso Nadir Pothe Hanti,” the survey concentrated on five rivers located between the Sundarbans and North Bengal, specifically exploring the different challenges impacting them. The study’s findings will be presented to the Jal Shakti Ministry and Manchester University.
The survey revealed numerous challenges across the studied rivers. In the Sundarbans, livelihoods are threatened; the Jalangi suffers from pesticide contamination; and severe land erosion around Dhulian on the Ganga has led to a drinking water crisis. Furthermore, the Atreyee is causing hardship for farmers and fishermen, while the Teesta in Boalmari faces erosion, impacting drinking water, fishing and agriculture.
The surgery started on 4 April from Gosaba block Char Gheri ik Sundarban. Subsequently, they surveyed Sambhunagar Char on Jalangi at Krishnanagar.
Manchester University will send its recommendations to the Jal Shakti Ministry with a proposed roadmap for the interlinking of rivers.
