Dynamics Qf Urban Growth And Environmental Challenges: A Case Qf Kolkata, India
Abstract
The history of development of Kolkata as a megacity in India dates back to 300 years. The scenario changed when the administrative headquarter of the British East India Company was established in erstwhile Calcutta, located at the bank of the River Hugli in the lower Gangetic plain. Since its inception, Kolkata has undergone rapid formal and functional change. Both national and international migration has led to the demographic explosion, urban industrial development and an increase in economic opportunities which caused environmental degradation. Until 1793, the urban dynamics of Kolkata followed a linear pattern along the left bank of the Hugli River. A similar trend continued along the right bank from 1793 to 1947 and extended up to its periphery post-independence. In this paper, an attempt was made to explore the influence of river ghats on the urban environment along the selected stretch of the River Hugli. Human activities like garbage disposal (0.089), sewage disposal (0.088) and idol immersion (0.084) have a negative impact on the river water. Secondly, this paper attempts to study the vertical expansion of Kolkata. It has been observed that the average height of buildings in the CBD area is 84.6 meters while along the peri-urban area it is only 10.61 meters proving the distance decay effect (R2 = 0.405 and R2 = 0.314). Besides, the mean values of DQ (5.179mg/l), BQD (8.5mg/l) and CQD (34.5mg/l) in the river water reflect the degrading water quality for the aquatic environment. Geospatial assessment techniques were used to understand the research problems and combat the environmental challenges. Complex functional development and decaying urban quality of life along the Hugli River has led to critical environmental transformation.
About the Author
Falguni Dey
Affiliated to University of Calcutta
India
India
Assistant Coordinator, Post Graduation Department of Geography, Women's College Calcutta, Pin Code – 700003.
P-29, Kshirode Vidyavinode Avenue, Baghbazar, Kolkata, West Bengal
References
1. Bardhan R. et al. (2011). Linking Urban Form and Quality of Life in Kolkata, India. 47th ISOCARP Congress. Available at: http://www.isocarp.net/data/case_studies/1923.pdf [Accessed 17 Aug. 2019].
2. Basu S.R. and Main H.A.C. (2001). Calcutta's Water Supply: Demand, Governance and Environmental Change. Applied Geography, 21(1), 23-44, DOI: 10.1016/S0143-6228(00)00018-7.
3. Bhaduri S. (2012). Pollution at River Ghats of Kolkata: A Profile. Geographical Review of India, 74(4), 409-424.
4. Bhaskaran P.K., Mangalagiri S. and Bonthu S. (2014). Dredging Maintenance Plan for the Kolkata Port, India. Current Science, 107(7), 11251136. Available at: https://wwwjstor.org/stable/24105626 [Accessed 14 Aug. 2018].
5. Bhatta B. (2009). Analysis of Urban Growth Pattern using Remote Sensing and GIS: A Case Study of Kolkata, India. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 30(18), 4733-4746, DOI: 10.1080/01431160802651967.
6. Bhattacharyya D. (2018). Empire and Ecology in the Bengal Delta: The making of Calcutta. Cambridge University Press, New Delhi, India, ISBN: 9781108425742.
7. Biswas S. (2003). Rapid Estimation of Major Wastewater Discharges to River Hooghly between the stretch of Palta to Dhankheti Khal. West Bengal Pollution Control Board, Kolkata, India DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.1796.4406.
8. Cengiz B. (2013). Urban River Landscapes. Advances in Landscape Architecture, 551-586, Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/300453647_Urban_River_Landscapes [Accessed 4 Jan. 2016].
9. Chakrabarty P. and Nath S. (1995). Analyses of some Physicochemical Parameters of a Tributary of Ganga, West Bengal, India. Global Journal of Bio-science and Biotechnology, 4(1), 185-190.
10. Chatterjee S.P. (2007). The Partition of Bengal: A Geographical study with Maps and Diagrams. Geographical Society of India, Kolkata, India.
11. Dey F. and Majumdar K. (2015). Pavement Dwellers in Kolkata: Issues and Challenges. Researchers World, VI (2.2), 1-13. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.11061.91368.
12. Dey T. (2013). Viability of Passenger Transport System through Hooghly River in Kolkata City. Hill Geographer, XXIX(2), ISSN 0970-5023.
13. Dhar S.B. (2014). Influence of the River Ganga on the Urban Process in Kolkata Metropolitan Area. IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS), 19(9), 60-67.
14. Envirocheck. org, (2009). Envirocheck Official Website. [Online] Available at: www.envirocheck.org [Accessed 6 Aug. 2010].
15. Ghosh A.K. (1991). Ecology and Environment of Calcutta. In: Dasgupta B. et al. Eds.,Calcutta's Urban Future: Agonies from the Past and Prospects for the Future. Government of West Bengal, Calcutta, India.
16. Ghosh S. (1950). The Urban Pattern of Calcutta, India. Economic Geography, Clark University, 26(1), 51-58 Available at: http://wwwjstor.org/stable/140968 [Accessed 4 Mar. 2018].
17. Helmer R. and Hespanhol I. (ed.). (1997). Water Pollution Control - A Guide to the Use of Water Quality Management Principles, Case Study I - The Ganga, India. United Nations Environment Programme, the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council and the World Health Organization by E. and F. Spon. ISBN 0 419229108.
18. Iwai.nic.in, (2021). National Waterways 1. [Online] Available at: http://iwai.nic.in/waterways/national-waterways/national-waterways-1 [Accessed 10 may 2021]
19. Kosambi M. and Brush J. E. (1988). Three Colonial Port Cities in India. Geographical Review, American Geographical Society, 78(1), 32-47, Available at: http://wwwjstor.org/stable/214304 [Accessed 4. Mar.2018].
20. Kundu N. (2003). Urban Slums Reports: The case of Kolkata, India. Understanding Slums: Case studies for the Global Report on Human Settlements. Available at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/dpu-projects/Global_Report/pdfs/Kolkata.pdf [Accessed 12 Jul. 2018].
21. Mahadevia D. (2001). Sustainable Urban Development in India: An Inclusive Perspective. Dev pract 11, 242-259, DOI: 10.1080/09614520120056388.
22. Majumder S. (2020). Assessment and Detection of Land cover Changes in the Southern Fringe of Kolkata using the Remotely Sensed Data. Geography Environment and Sustainability, Russian Geographical Society, DOI: 10.24057/2071-9388-2020-65.
23. Mandal R.B. (2000). Urban Geography: A Text Book, Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi, India.
24. Mitra A. (1977). Calcutta Diary. Frank Cass and Company Limited, London, ISBN 0714630829.
25. Mitra C., Shepherd M., and Jordan T. (2012). Assessment and Dynamics of Urban Growth in the City of Kolkata. In: Dutta A. et al. (Eds.). Facets of Social Geography: International and Indian Perspectives, 541-555, Foundation Books, DOI: 10.1017/UPO9788175969360.031.
26. Mitra R. (1952). Kalikata Darpan, Pratham Parba, Subarnarekha Publication, Kolkata.
27. Mitra T. and Mitra S. (2015). Region, Periphery and the City Core: Transformations in Morphology and Growth Symbiosis: A Case of Kolkata City and Region. RSA Conference, Kolkata.
28. Mohanta T. and Goel S. (2014). Assessment of Water Quality ofThree Different Aquatic Environments Over Three Seasons. 1st International Congress on Environmental, Biotechnology, and Chemistry Engineering IPCBEE, IACSIT Press, Singapore, 64(10). Available at: https://www.academia.edu/6680146/Assessment_of_water_quality_of_three_different_aquatic_environments_over_three_seasons [Accessed 4 Mar. 2018].
29. Mukherjee J. (2009). Beyond the Urban: Rethinking Urban Ecology using Kolkata as a Case Study. International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development. February, 2015, DOI: 10.1080/19463138.2015.1011160.
30. Mukherjee M. (2012). Urban Growth and Spatial Transformation of Kolkata Metropolis: A Continuation of Colonial Legacy. ARPN Journal of Science and Technology, 2, Special Issue, 365-380, ICESR, ISSN 2225-7217.
31. Munsi S.K. (1980). Geography of Transportation in Eastern India under the British Raj. Calcutta: Published for Centre for studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta.
32. Murphey R. (1964). The City in the Swamp: Aspects of the Site and Early Growth of Calcutta. The Geographical Journal, 130(2), 241-256. Available at: http://wwwjstor.org/stable/1794585 [Accessed 4 Mar. 2018].
33. National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organization (1997). Growth of Kolkata Metropolitan Area. Govt. of India.
34. Nmcg.nic.in, (2018). National Mission for Clean Ganga Ministry of Water Resources. River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Govt. of India Official Website [Online] Available at: https://nmcg.nic.in/pdf/13_Guide%20Lines%20IAndD%20and%20STP%20-%20Final.pdf [Accessed 22 Jun. 2020].
35. Pca.state.mn.us (2009). Low Dissolved Oxygen in Water Causes, Impact on Aquatic Life - An Overview. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency [Online] Available at: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-iw3-24.pdf [Accessed 14 Jul. 2017].
36. Rajashekariah K. (2011). Kolkata: Urbanization and Impact on Ecological System. Impact of Urbanisation on Biodiversity Case studies from India, WWF-India, 27-37.
37. Richmond M. and Antiporda C. (2014). Hugli River Distributaries: A Study of Health, Water and Pollution. Research Project in theories of Landscape Architecture, GSD, fall 2012, Available at: http://www.michelerichmond.com/hugli-river-distributary [Accessed 11 Nov.2017].
38. Roy B. (1982). Marshes to Metropolis Calcutta (1481-1981). National Council of Education, Calcutta
39. Rudra K. (2015). Industrial Pollution Management in the River Ganga. State Workshop on Forestry Interventions for Clean Ganga, West Bengal Pollution Control Board Dept. of Environment, Govt. of West Bengal.
40. Sarkar S. and Bandyopadhyay S. (2013). Dynamics of Peri Urban Interface: Issues and Perspectives of Management. Transactions, 30(1), 49-62.
41. Shaw A. (2005). Peri-urban interface of Indian Cities: Growth, Governance and Local Initiatives. Economic and Political Weekly, 40, 129136.
42. Singh R.B., Haque M.S., and Grover A. (2015). Drinking Water, Sanitation, and Health in Kolkata Metropolitan City: Contribution towards Urban Sustainability. Geography Environment and Sustainability, Russian Geographical Society, 8(4), 64-81, DOI: 10.24057/2071-9388-2015-8-4-64-81.
43. Skyscrapercenter.com (2012). Global Tall Building database of the CTBUH. [Online] Available at: http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/ [Accessed 19 Oct. 2015].
44. Wbtc.co.in, (2016). Ferry Service in Kolkata, Govt. of West Bengal. [Online] Available at: https://wbtc.co.in/ [Accessed 11 Mar. 2018].
For citation:
Dey F. Dynamics Qf Urban Growth And Environmental Challenges: A Case Qf Kolkata, India. GEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY. 2021;14(3):24-31. https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2020-194
Views: 411
Email this article 