Analysis of Mahananda River Basin Using Geospatial Data

River Mahananda is an important tributary of the River Ganga. It has a commanding role in regulating overall economy of the catchment area, namely Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur and Maldah districts of West Bengal and Kishanganj, Purnia and Katihar districts of Bihar in more than one ways. However, landslides, soil erosion, shifting of bank lines and associated degradational fluvial process have detrimental effect on the hydrological regime of the river thereby on the economy of the catchment area. In order to apprehend the spatio-temporal impact, the present study derived some basic basin parameters using geospatial data and analysed its implications in arresting fluvial hazards such as bank line changes, floods and landslides. The study found that the river is foothill fed, dendritic with moderate drainage to low texture, and the basin is highly elongated. Due to low slope on downstream and variable discharge, the river often exhibits the meandering and braided structure throughout its lower courses. The study recommended massive afforestation programme along the upper catchment, identification and mapping of landslides risk-prone areas and implementation of slope stability programme and site suitability analysis prior to infrastructure project implementation for sustainable basin development.