Geomorphic Classification and Assessment of Mangrove Degradation in the Henry’s and Patibania Island, South Western Sundarban

Abstract

The coast of Henry's island, extending from Saptamukhi River in the east to Bakkhali River in the West. In the hot and humid climate of the Sundarban, a negligible input of fresh water through tidal creeks, high evaporation rate at the surface area are the probable reasons behind the evolution of Hypersaline patches of Henry's and Patibunia Island. The dense salt patches develop in the abandoned portion of the surface then sinks and move out of the tidal estuaries as subterranean flow or a bottom current to make the environment more saline. Development of Saltpan is one of the major hindrances for the growth of mangroves and hampers the ecological balance of Sundarban. Present paper attempts to highlight- I) To study and identification of Geomorphological settings of both island. ii) Analysis of Physico-chemical properties of hyper saline soil. iii) Identification of hyper-saline patches and their impact on mangrove degradation. Application of remote sensing technique and GIS analysis help to find out the relationship between mangrove degradation and salinity within the islands area in the last few decades. Development of hyper saline patches and changing environmental parameters are how much responsible for the mangrove degeneration process are major issues of this paper. The Forest Department has attempted to restore the growth of mangrove and improve fragile ecosystem but without understanding the geomorphology and environmental condition, it is not possible to implement proper managemental strategies for wetland restoration process.