Physical Verification of Navigability and Characters of Creeks and Canals of Chulkathi Forest Blocks, of Indian Sundarbans
Mode of Presentation: Poster
Conference Name: Student Conference on Conservation Science (SCCS 2016)
Year: 2016
Area: Biodiversity
Authors: Devsena Roychaudhury, Chaitali Roy, Lipika Ray and Arjan Basu Roy
Abstract
Sundarban is the largest prograding deltaic region of the world and encompasses over hundreds of Islands with amaze of innumerable rivers, rivulets and creeks. Established in the year – 1973 under the “Project Tiger”, Sundarban is situated between the latitudes 21º 51′ and 22º 31′ North and 88º 10′ and 89º 31′ East longitudes in West Bengal, India. The only way to approach inside the forest is by its canal and creek system. Though we have high quality satellite images still it’s impossible to judge the navigability in certain parts of the forest. This study was designed to have a specific and verified idea about navigable distance of each canal in specific tidal date, to know the feasible route to reach each WWF quadrate for various monitoring purposes like Tiger Census, Herbivore Census, Protection patrolling etc., and to know the vegetation profile and other characteristics of each and every navigable creek.
The entire study area was tracked with a GPS device in a small boat during February and March 2014 in low tide time. Each creek was surveyed to the maximum possible navigable distance, till the water depth in the creek reduced to 1.5 ft. The depth of creek was measured with a 12 feet long bamboo, graduated with black enamel paint in every foot. Date, lunar date, time, total distance travelled, creek characters, vegetation profile, sign of faunal activity was noted. Special emphasis was given in documenting human interference in each individual creek. After completion of survey of individual creeks in the island, the entire island blocks were encircled with the boat to get the peripheral length, as well as for any more possible entry points. Finally on a satellite map all the findings were placed and a composite map was created with all details.
Total 47 creeks were identified as navigable in8 compartments of Chulkathi block. All the navigable creeks now have a Common name as well as one technical name having reference from the quadrate number and forest block number. All the 40 WWF quadrates which cover this area were accessible through any one or more identified creeks. The documented maximum navigable distance for each creek during low tide was depicted in the maps. Total 28 mangrove species were found along the creeks, Sundari tree (Endangered) was found in only 5 creeks in 3-8 compartments. Among Chulkathi block 6, 7 and 8 compartments have comparatively more dense forest. Two creeks namely “Buro Bagher Khal” and “Batasir Khal” have gentle slope in bank. The slope of the bank of “Chaitanya Khal” and “Kalas Bharanir Side Khal” was found suitable for Crocodile release. Most creeks had sign of humaninterferenceexceptthecompartments3, 4 and 5.