An interactive study between the Poba Reserve Forest and the Brahmaputra River of Assam using geo-spatial technology

• Published in: Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy Vol. 90; no. 1; pp. 48 - 54
• Main Authors: Saikia, Jyoti, Shah, Rani Kumari, Buragohain, Priya Protushi, Saikia, Chandan, Hazarika, Archita, Bailong, Bhadra Krishna, Deori, Tom, Gogoi, Rumi, Mili, Mousumi, Kalita, Monish, Hazarika, Kowstov Jyoti, Das, Kamal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Indian National Science Academy 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Chemistry and Materials Science; Materials Science; Research Paper; Channel migration; Channel bending; Bank erosion; Channel dynamics
• ISSN: 0370-0046; 2454-9983
• DOI: 10.1007/s43538-023-00222-5

Being one of the dynamic entities of the earth’s surface, the characteristics of rivers vary over time and space following environmental controls. Channel dynamics are natural occurrences whose principal cause is the formation of a large number of sand bars within the channel through the process of braiding. Channel migration is a geomorphic significance of a river that is driven by the lateral erosion and deposition of point bar over time. However, vegetation can wield notable control on the fluvial phenomena and morphology through- resistance to water movement, bank robustness, bar sedimentation, log-jams genesis, and concave beach deposits. An integrated approach of Geographical Information System and Remote Sensing has been used to study the interaction between Poba Reserve Forest and the Brahmaputra River in the Dhemaji district of Assam. The river Brahmaputra being very dynamic changes its course frequently. The high bank erosion of the river is the main factor for the channel shift and migration of the banklines. In the present study, changes in channel shift in the upstream region near Poba Reserved Forest have been observed during the years 2017 and 2021, but even so, the shifting of the river is very low as compared to the other segment of the river. Large channel shifting is observed downstream. Concurrently, channel bending is observed both upstream and downstream but the bending process is very much restricted near the forest.