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Human Role in Shaping the Hydromorphology of Himalayan Rivers: Study of the Tista River in Darjeeling Himalaya


Affiliations
1 Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Św. Jana 22, 31-018 Cracow, Poland
2 Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Św. Jana 22, 31-018 Cracow, India
3 North Bengal University, Geography Department, Siliguri 734 430, India
 

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the hydromorphological state (the degree of naturalness and anthropogenic transformation) of Himalayan rivers and to determine the role of human activity in shaping their hydromorphology. The study was conducted in the valley of the Tista River in Darjeeling Himalaya. The field research was carried out in selected channel sections with and without noticeable human interference. The assessment of the hydromorphological state was conducted on the basis of the River Habitat Survey method. The analysis of research results shows that the habitat quality of the river sections with noticeable human interference is not significantly different from that in the sections without noticeable anthropogenic pressure.

Keywords

Darjeeling Himalaya, Hydromorphology, Human Impact, River Habit Survey Method, Tista River.
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  • Human Role in Shaping the Hydromorphology of Himalayan Rivers: Study of the Tista River in Darjeeling Himalaya

Abstract Views: 394  |  PDF Views: 136

Authors

Lukasz Wiejaczka
Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Św. Jana 22, 31-018 Cracow, Poland
Anna Bucala
Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Św. Jana 22, 31-018 Cracow, India
Subir Sarkar
North Bengal University, Geography Department, Siliguri 734 430, India

Abstract


The aim of the present study is to evaluate the hydromorphological state (the degree of naturalness and anthropogenic transformation) of Himalayan rivers and to determine the role of human activity in shaping their hydromorphology. The study was conducted in the valley of the Tista River in Darjeeling Himalaya. The field research was carried out in selected channel sections with and without noticeable human interference. The assessment of the hydromorphological state was conducted on the basis of the River Habitat Survey method. The analysis of research results shows that the habitat quality of the river sections with noticeable human interference is not significantly different from that in the sections without noticeable anthropogenic pressure.

Keywords


Darjeeling Himalaya, Hydromorphology, Human Impact, River Habit Survey Method, Tista River.



DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv106%2Fi5%2F717-724