Topographic Sheets Research Articles

The Impact of Land Use Land Cover on the Flood Plain of Bhagirathi River, Purba Bardhaman District, West Bengal, India

Aims: Human interference is the most important factor to change the LULC pattern over the earth surface. Land cover means to the physical parameters and land use means the cultural components. The present study associated with the changes in land uses a land cover pattern for the simultaneous changes of geomorphic features as well as the changes in the course of the river. This work is mainly going to summarize the changing behavior of land use land cover areas of a river bank in several decades.
 Place and duration of the Study: The research area traced in between 24°00’00’’N to 23°16’15’’N and 88°12’00’’E to 88°28’00’’E, which is situated in the eastern part of Purba Bardhaman District, West Bengal.
 Methodology: Entire study made by GIS techniques through the uses of topographical sheet (SOI-1960, Scale 1:50,000) and Satellite data (2002, 2008 & 2016). Through the help of superimposition technique the changes of river course have been identified which is directly affecting the LULC pattern of the entire flood plain.
 Result: The study reveals that the entire area changes their LULC pattern which reflects the entire flood plain.
 Conclusion: Due to the high interference of human physical elements as well as water bodies, sand bar, fallow lands are being decreased in past decades, whereas settlement patches are continuously growing up. It means for the necessity of human livelihood human always have been modifying the land in different ways.

ЗАКОНОМІРНОСТІ ЗВ'ЯЗКІВ МІЖ ПОТУЖНОСТЯМИ І ПОШИРЕНОСТЯМИ ТЕРИГЕННИХ ВІДКЛАДІВ НА ПРИКЛАДІ ОСАДОВОГО ЧОХЛА ПІВНОЧІ УКРАЇНСЬКОГО ЩИТА

This article focuses on identifying patterns typical for formations of sediment stratum that covers crystalline foundation in the north of Ukrainian shield, and on their basisfinding new methods that could be used during regional research, and also while exploring and prospecting sediment minerals fields. In particular, there are researches of statistical relations between average thickness and spreading of terrigenous sediments using the example of two territories situated on Novograd block of Volyn mega block and Fastiv block of Rosynsk-Tikytsk mega block. For this purpose, method of double correlation analysis was used. It was found out that there are various correlation connections between these indexes for the whole stratum, Quaternary and Neogene deposits. Part of them has strong and very strong relative connections. The following pattern was identified: in relatively well sorted or not sorted sediments correlational connection between thickness and spreading is always stronger than in all the sediments together in the case when they form the bigger part of sediment stratum volume or the volume of its researched part. Thus, one of the main factors that influence the correlational connections between thickness and spreading of all the sediment stratum or its part is their sorted or unsorted state. The information about existence of strong correlation connections between thickness and spreading of sediments of all the sediment stratum or its part can makegeological or sedimentological maps more substantial if they reflect spreading of these sediments. In this case according to the region of spreading of a sediment one can make at least qualitative evaluation of its average thickness, and thus its volume on the territory that is shown on the map. The identified pattern can be used while calculating projected resources of some minerals in some fields, zones, areas of their spreading. First of all, it concerns minerals that form separate horizons. They are secondary kaolin, expanded and bentonite clay, brown coal etc. With the help of this pattern one can calculate mineragenic potential in separate topographical sheets, administrative and geomorphological areas etc. The research of correlation connections between sediment thickness and spreading on the other mega blocks of Ukrainian shield and other regions may be perspective.

GEOLOGIA E TECTÔNICA DA REGIÃO DA FOLHA TOPOGRÁFICA DE JUQUITIBA em 1:50.000, SUDESTE DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO

O mapeamento das unidades litológicas da Folha Topográfica de Juquitiba em escala de 1:50.000 é resultado da integração e realização de levantamentos geológicos. A área está localizada a sudoeste da cidade de São Paulo e inserida na Província Mantiqueira Central, porção central do Cinturão Ribeira. Compreende uma pequena região, a norte da Zona de Cisalhamento Caucaia-Rio Jaguari, constituída pelas rochas do Bloco Cotia e, a maior área, por rochas do Bloco Juquitiba. A região é caracterizada por litotipos rochosos metassedimentares migmatizados, compostos de migmatitos, gnaisses e xistos aluminosos, além de anfibolitos, metarenitos e rochas calciossilicatadas, de idade meso- a neoproterozoica, do Complexo Embu; inúmeros granitos e corpos de pegmatitos peraluminosos do tipo S, complexos graníticos cálcio-alcalinos do tipo I Ibiúna e Caucaia de idade neoproterozoica e sedimentos recentes quaternários. A evolução tectono-metamórfica consiste de deformações/metamorfismo progressivo D1/2 tangenciais, associados ao processo colisional, e pela tectônica transcorrente/transpressiva D3, de direção NE-SW, marcada por uma foliação milonítica vertical. O metamorfismo regional progressivo é do tipo Barroviano, com rochas em fácies anfibolito alto e ocorrências locais de metamorfismo de contato, além do metamorfismo dinâmico que apresenta natureza retrometamórfica.

Remote sensing and GIS-based analysis of evolving planform morphology of the middle-lower part of the Ganga River, India

The present work addresses the planform dynamics of the Ganga River in the middle-lower portion over the last six decades and the evolution and transformation of the channel and its floodplain with the help of remote sensing and GIS techniques. The methodology of the study has been incorporated into topographic sheet and satellite image processing & mapping and geomorphic analysis. Three geomorphic technique have been incorporated here for the geomorphic analysis: braid-channel ratio, sinuosity index and water-bar covered area ratio. Findings of this study are: i) the channel has shifted considerably throughout the study reach especially in the up and downstream of Farakka Barrage, ii) Between 1978 and 1990 there was a significant decrease in the channel area due to the massive migration in the immediate downstream of Farakka, iii) Between 1978 and 1990 the bar covered area was less compared to a water covered area that indicates high sinuosity but in 2001 and 2014 the bar covered area exceeded the water covered area that reflects a high braid-channel ratio, v) The autogenic evolution of the channel and the active floodplain.

Comparative study of the drainage basin morphometry extracted from topographic maps and SRTM DEMs: an example from Ghadir watershed, Eastern Desert, Egypt

The drainage network of Wadi Ghadir watershed, southeastern Desert, Egyptwas extracted from topographic maps (1:50. 000), and from the 30 m digitalelevation data (DEM) of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mapping Mission(SRTM). Four topographic sheets were digitized and used for extraction.Archydro function in ArcGIS 10x was utilized for network extraction and formorphometric analysis. Networks derived from topographic sheets and DEMwere considerably coincident. Different morphometric parameters from bothsources were evaluated to examine the accuracy of DEM for hydrologicapplications. Results clarified 6th order streams for both drainage networks withmoderate to high drainage density (D) of 2.51 km.km2 (topographic) and 2.54km.km2 (DEM) reflecting that W. Ghadir drainage basin is impermeable withconsiderable surface runoff. DEM showed higher stream frequency (F) of 4.49than those derived from topographic maps (4.38). Calculated bifurcation ratio(Rb) of streams derived from topographic sheets reached about 3.47 and about4.60 for those derived from DEM. DEM-derived morphometric parametersprovided good and satisfactory information about the catchment characteristicsand revealed accurate watershed delineation confirming high potential ofsurface runoff of the W. Ghadir drainage basin. Finally, SRTM DEM provedadvantageous over the topographic sheets for drainage delineation and basinmorphometry for hydrologic analysis underpinned with the finer spatialresolution and the vertical accuracy.

Monitoring estuarine morphodynamics through quantitative techniques and GIS: A Case study in Sagar Island, India

Mapping of coastal areas, shorelines, estuarine islands are very important in order to determine the hydro dynamic and hydro meteorological behavior of coastal zone and estuarine deltaic tracts. This paper presents the spatio-temporal changes of morphological configuration of shorelines, river banks of deltaic Sagar Island situated in the mouth reaches of Hugli estuary in India. Passing through the western margin of Ganga delta the Hugli river is flowing to the Bay of Bengal in north south direction and it is dominated by strong tidal current. Being the largest island in Hugli estuary Sagar Island represent variety of inter tidal sub tidal sub-environment formed by estuarine erosional and depositional processes. The study aims to monitor and measure the quantitative changes of shorelines, island area, spatio-temporal variations of erosional and depositional processes and resultant landform assemblages by using shoreline change envelop (SCE), net shoreline movement (NSM) and end point rate (EPR). With the help of multi-temporal maps and image (District map, Police station map of 1912–29, SoI Topographical sheets 1967–69 and IRS P6 LISS IV satellite image of 2014), GIS techniques, mathematical modeling of hydro morphological parameters the present study has given a fruitful result. Measurement of shoreline dynamics clearly shows that coastal shoreline and estuarine bank line erosional processes are very active along south eastern coastal tract, south western part of Sagar Island and exposed concave river banks along the north eastern part of Sagar respectively. Finally is has found that intensity of erosion in Sagar Island is strongly controlled by estuarine exposure, sediment composition, channel flow direction, near bank channel depth, orientation of thalweg line, wave form velocity, long shore velocity, direction of longshore current, episodic cyclonic events with mean high tidal ranges and disturbance in estuarine equilibrium condition.

A Geospatial Analysis of Anthropogenic Activities and Their Impacts on River Narmada

River Narmada is said to the lifeline of Central India. It provides drinking water, fertile plains, rich forests to the people there. Almost four states are benefitted by water supply for irrigation and drinking. Continuous anthropogenic activities have severely degraded the ecosystem of River Narmada. The research figures out the causes of degrading environment of river Narmada. The continuous water flow of once Perennial River is broken at numerous times of a year. The objective of the paper is to enlist different anthropogenic activities and identify their relation in degradation of ecosystem. A literature review based mapping is done to identify and map the various stressors. A review of literature to historically map events has been done. Mapping is done in GIS platform and linkages of causes and impacts are studied. Detail study of one site is done. Land use land cover changes are studied by satellite imagery and topographical sheets.

GEOLOGIA DA FOLHA TOPOGRÁFICA GUAPIARA NA ESCALA 1:50.000

A região da Folha Topográfica de Guapiara situa-se no extremo sul do estado de São Paulo e compreende na porção central da Província Mantiqueira a faixa centro-sul do Cinturão Ribeira. O arcabouço geológico local envolve rochas da sequência metavulcanossedimentar do Supergrupo Açunguí, de idade meso- a neoproterozoicas deformadas e metamorfizadas no neoproterozoico, associadas a rochas granitoides geradas durante os episódios colisionais ligados ao Ciclo Brasiliano e à formação do Supercontinente Gondwana. As principais unidades litoestratigráficas são constituídas pelos metassedimentos da Formação Água Clara e dos grupos Votuverava e Itaiacoca de idade meso- a neoproterozoica, corpos graníticos neoproterozoicos representantes do Complexo Granito Três Córregos e do Maciço Granito Capão Bonito, rochas sedimentares do Grupo Itararé, efusivas básicas associadas ao Magmatismo Serra Geral e sedimentos recentes quaternários. O quadro estrutural-metamórfico é determinado pelo arranjo tectônico final neoproterozóico, evidenciado nas rochas epimetamórficas por uma evolução estrutural do tipo polifásica, com quatro fases de deformação (Sn, Sn+1, Sn+2 e Sn+3) e três eventos metamórficos (M1, M2 e M3), de caráter regional progressivo, contato e regional a localmente dinâmico de natureza retrometamórfica.
 Palavras-chave: geologia, estrutural, mapeamento, Guapiara.

Erosion induced channel migration and its impact on dwellers in the lower Gumti River, Tripura, India

River channel migration due to erosion has emerged as a serious environmental issue. The present study is an attempt to assess the pattern of channel migration in lower reach of the Gumti River and its impact on local inhabitants. For this study Survey of India topographical sheets and Landsat 8 imagery were used to derive the vector layers of the river channel of 1932 and 2016 respectively. Different sections were drawn over the superimposed vector layers of these 2 years to measure the extent of migration. Survey was carried out on the local people to assess the vulnerability of river channel migration. The whole study reveals that large scale migration of the Gumti River has taken place during the period 1932–2016 with maximum extent of 533.42 m in Kushamara Village owing mainly to the sandy and sandy loam nature of bank soil. Channel migration has created detrimental socio-economic problems as victims were bound to shift their houses partially (73.53%) and permanently (26.17%). Moreover, Gumti channel migration has led to loss of productive agricultural lands when around 27.78% of the surveyed victims have already lost their double cropped lands amounting to more than four acres each.

Sectoral Migration of Ganga River and Its Implication on the Stability of Phaphamau Bridge Near Allahabad, U.P., India

Comparative examination of Survey of India Topographical Map sheets of 1972–1973 survey and satellite data of 1999, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2017 period has revealed that the niche point of Ganga river has shifted about 2.9 km upstream (westward) from immediate west of Faizullahpur (in 1973) to the south of Rangpura (by 2017). The sectoral migration of the Ganga channel in Jahangirwa–Phaphamau–Faizullahpur–Jhusi sector has been characterised by oscillations and conspicuous westerly shift in Phaphamau–Faizullahpur segment. The channel oscillation has been very pronounced between 2008 and 2017. The relict channels in the immediate west (upstream) of Phaphamau bridge are evidences of the new pathway carved out by Ganga River during the recent years and may again serve as easy pathways for flood waters during heavy precipitation in the catchment area of the river. Digital Elevation Model of the study area highlights the conspicuous oscillations (of Ganga River) and consequent successive migration within the river valley. The oscillatory migration of the Ganga channel makes its future path very unpredictable and this is turn poses potential risk not only to both the northern and southern bank abutments (of the Phaphamau bridge) but also to the northern and eastern parts of the holy city of Allahabad. In view of this additional protection work is required in the upstream of Phaphamau bridge and also in Phaphamau–Jhusi stretch in the downstream.

GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REGION GEREDE (BOLU)

The study area covers an area of approximately 600km 2 in the Gerede district of the Province of Bolu, which is located in 1/25.000 scale G28 a1 a2 a3 a4 topographical sheets showing north-west of Turkey. This study tried to reveal the general geology of the study region, which is bound by the Mengen district on the north and Gerede district on the southeast. The study area includes various rocks with similar lithology and stratigraphic sequence with ages ranging from the Paleozoic to Quaternary period. Although the base complex, which constitutes the oldest, rocks of the region, cannot be observed in the mapped geographical area in Gerede, though it's known to exist at the base. The limestones developed on the tithonic facies of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous age on the base complex of Permo-Triassic period are incompatible. It is determined that the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous aged limestones are rich in titonic facies and rich in calpionel contents. As a result of detailed paleontological and biostratigraphic studies on the samples; 3 calpionel species and 7 species of these species, including Tintinnopsella carpathica (Murgeanui & Filipescu), Crassicollaria brevis Remane, Crassicollaria intermedia (Durand Delga), Crassicollaria parvula Remane, Crassicollaria massutiniana (Colom), Calpionella alpina Lorenz, Calpionella elliptica Cadisch. It was determined in the study area, the lower levels of Upper Cretaceous are composed of sandstone-shale-marl intercalated flysch and clayey limestones containing agglomerate intercalations and the Maastrichtian level are composed of rocks and felsic intrusive rocks in the volcano-flysch facies. Among Maestrichtian age-giving units; Globotruncana arca Cushman, Globotruncanita conica White, Rosita contusa (Cushman) and Globotruncana sp. planktonic foraminifera were detected. Considering the relationship between the rocks in the region, the presence of a gradual transgression along the Mesozoic is noteworthy. It is composed of Tertiary, Paleocene aged sandstone shales, agglomerate, Lutetian, Miocene and Neogene aged terrestrial formations with volcanic activities, occurred in a marine environment and particularly observed in the western part.

Monitoring spatio-temporal dynamics of urban and peri-urban landscape using remote sensing and GIS – A case study from Central India

In the study, an attempt has been made to map and monitor spatio-temporal dynamics of urban and peri-urban landscape of Nagpur city, Maharashtra, India using urban plan maps (1936), topographical sheets (1976), temporal Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper data for the years 1991 and 2010. Object Based Image Analysis (OBIA) technique has been followed to classify the temporal remote sensing data using eCognition software (Ver 9.8) in conjunction with topographic sheets in Geographic Information System (GIS). The analysis shows that urban area has increased from 2272 ha in 1936 to 17344 ha in 2010, this could be attributed to natural increase in urban population and inward migration from villages to city for better education, employment, recreation and living standards. During the urbanization process, about 2806 ha of land has been converted predominantly from double cropped area and degraded scrublands to housing or industrial needs. Interestingly area under water bodies slightly increased from 0.9 to 1.1 per cent of total geographical area (TGA) during the same period. The analysis of urban sprawl shows that eastern, southern and southwestern part of Nagpur city witnessed significant growth of urban sprawl. The generated spatio-temporal information on urban sprawl could be effectively used to monitor the land use/land cover changes and maintain sustainable urban environment of the Nagpur city. The study demonstrates the potential of temporal satellite data and GIS techniques in analysis of spatio-temporal dynamics of urban and peri-urban landscape for management of land resources on sustainable basis.

Drainage morphometric analysis for assessing form and processes of the watersheds of Pachamalai hills and its adjoinings, Central Tamil Nadu, India

The present study attempts to understand the form and geomorphic/hydrologic processes of the 20 watersheds of the Pachamalai hills and its adjoinings located in Tamil Nadu State of southern India from the analysis of its drainage morphometric characteristics. Survey of India’s topographic sheets of 1:50,000 is the data source from which stream networks and watersheds of the study area were demarcated followed by the analysis of their morphometric characteristics using ArcGIS software. The results of the analysis formed the basis for deducing the form and processes of the watersheds of the study area. The form of the watersheds inferred from the analysis includes shape, length, slope steepness and length, degree of branching of streams, dissection and elongation of watersheds. The geomorphic/hydrologic processes inferred include denudation rate, potential energy, intensity of erosion, mean annual run off, mean discharge, discharge rate, rock resistivity and infiltration potential, amount of sediment transported, mean annual rainfall, rainfall intensity, lagtime, flash flood potential, flood discharge per unit area, sediment yield and speed of the water flow in the streams. The understanding of variations of form and processes mentioned can be used towards prioritizing the watersheds for development, management and conservation planning.

Urban sprawl and its impact on landuse/land cover dynamics of Dehradun City, India

Abstract The world has seen the development and growth of urban areas at a faster pace. The rapid urban growth and development have resulted in the increase in the share of India’s urban population from 79 million in 1961 that was about 17.92 percent of India’s total population to 388 million in 2011 that is 31.30 percent of India’s total population. This fast rate of increase in urban population is mainly due to large scale migration of people from rural and smaller towns to bigger cities in search of better employment opportunities and better quality of life. Urban sprawl has resulted in loss of productive agricultural lands, open green spaces and loss of surface water bodies. Hence, there is a dire need to study, understand and quantify the urban sprawl. In this study, an attempt has been made to monitor land use/land cover of part of Dehradun city over two periods of time i.e., from 2004 to 2014 for change detection analysis and to assess urban sprawl using IRS P-6 data and topographic sheets, in GIS environment for better decision making and sustainable urban growth.

Use of Geospatial Techniques in Maritime Archaeology with Reference to the Tamil Nadu Coast

Geospatial analysis of shoreline changes at a particular place includes topographic sheets, satellite imageries and field data. The remains of maritime activities along the Indian coast have been traced dating back to the 4th millennium BCE. Subsequently, due to shoreline changes, many past habitations have been submerged in the sea or located far in the hinterland. Archaeological sites play a major role in determining palaeo-shoreline. The present article discusses the use of geospatial techniques in determining ancient coastal habitations along the Tamil Nadu region of the Indian coast.

Landslide hazard evaluation and zonation in and around Gimbi town, western Ethiopia—a GIS-based statistical approach

The main purpose of the present study was to carry out landslide evaluation and zonation in and around Gimbi town in western Ethiopia, located about 440 km from Addis Ababa. This study was conducted following GIS-based statistical method. For hazard evaluation and zonation, nine causative factors viz., slope material, elevation, slope, aspect, curvature, groundwater surface traces, distance to roads, and distance to streams were considered. Data on these causative factors were obtained from secondary maps, digital elevation model, topographical sheets, and through field mapping. Fifty past landslides in the study area were also identified and mapped through field survey and image interpretation. Statistical correlations between each of the causative factors and the past landslides were established in GIS environment to rate the relative contribution of individual factor classes. Thus, by considering ratings for each causative factor subclasses and by assigning suitable weights to each factor, random trial combinations were attempted to produce the landslide hazard zonation map. The results showed that 12.2% of the study area falls in very high hazard, 30.7% in high hazard, 24.3% in moderate hazard, 23.3% in low hazard, and the remaining 9.5% in no hazard zones. Validation of landslide hazard zonation map with past landslides showed that 75% of the past landslides fall within very high and high hazard zones. Thus, the hazard zones depicted can be considered for future planning and development of the study area.

Human influence over 150 years of coastal evolution in the Volturno delta system (southern Italy)

This paper focused on the past shoreline change rates along the coastal plain of the Volturno River, in southern Italy, western Mediterranean. A wide database comprising historical maps, aerial photographs, topographic sheets, bathymetric data was used to extract the spatial and temporal information of the coastlines at seven time points. Coastline displacement was calculated for two successive time points and relative surface variation (accretion and erosion) was estimated as well as minimum and maximum accretion/erosion linear values and rates. The surface variation analysis has revealed that the studied coast can be considered homogeneous since the 1970s, whereas it exhibits a variety of shoreline evolutionary trends after that time period. Timing and causes of trends and rates of variation were detected. Based on the estimated shoreline change rates, an appropriate morhodynamic one-line model was applied to predict evolutionary scenarios also in presence of port and defence works. The results obtained strongly emphasize that a successful coastal management requires a constant monitoring of the human-induced changes to account for the variability of rates over time.

Groundwater potentiality of the Kumari River Basin in drought-prone Purulia upland, Eastern India: a combined approach using quantitative geomorphology and GIS

Being the world’s most precious natural and valuable resource, groundwater remains largely unexploited for agricultural development in drought-prone western region of West Bengal, India. In drought-prone areas, micro-watershed-based development strategy may be considered as the best practice for integrated development. Keeping in view the above perspective, we select the micro-watersheds of Kumari River Basin of Purulia District, the westernmost and semi-arid region of West Bengal, for better water resource management. Supply of sufficient water resource in this region may offer more food security alternative to rain-fed subsistence farming. That is why the present study has been carried out to evaluate the potential zones for groundwater targeting in the Kumari River Basin with the help of morphometric analysis using an integrated remote sensing data, Survey of India topographical sheets and field verification. The study area was divided into seven watersheds for the purpose of micro-level morphometric analysis. Based on these morphometric (linear, areal and relief) parameters of the watersheds, the groundwater potential zones were identified and the results substantiated with bore well or tube well data available for the terrain. The elongated shape, favorable drainage network, permeable geologic formation and low relief of Kumari (2A2A1) and Chaka (2A2A2) watershed makes them the promising groundwater potential zones of the Kumari River Basin. In addition, for better use and management of groundwater, we try to find artificial recharge structure and sites on the basis of groundwater potential map and groundwater fluctuation map.

Habitat change in the lower Columbia River estuary, 1870–2009

We conducted a spatial analysis of long term land cover change for the lower Columbia River estuary and its floodplain by comparing GIS representations of late 1800’s maps (Office of Coast topographic sheets and General Land Office survey maps) with recent, high resolution land cover data from 2009. In terms of combined spatial and temporal extents, ours is the most comprehensive of similar studies that have been done for the region in recent decades. Losses of 68–70% were noted for vegetated tidal wetlands, which are critical habitats for juvenile salmonids that utilize the estuary. These values are consistent with those derived from previous studies. A loss of 55% of forested uplands was also noted. The majority of loss of these habitats was due to conversion of land for agriculture and urban development. Also significant was conversion of tidal wetlands to non-tidal wetlands. Tidal flats have changed more with respect to location than overall areal coverage, which could be expected for this high energy environment. Spatial patterns of change in these habitats were variable throughout the study area, which may have practical implications for guiding restoration and conservation practices. Uncertainties with our analysis are present as a result of differences in methodologies used to develop the historical and present day data sets as well as unknowns about, and difficulties interpreting, the historical data sources. Despite these uncertainties, the analysis provides useful insight into the extent of change which has occurred in the lower Columbia River Estuary and in particular the significant declines in vegetated tidal wetlands that have occurred.

Channel migration zone mapping of the River Ganga in the Diara surrounding region of Eastern India

River channel migration is the universal phenomenon that is common in almost all alluvial rivers. The holy River Ganga, the heartbeat of India, is also not an exception in this case. It has shifted its course from time to time. After crossing the Rajmahal hills that is situated in the north-eastern corner of the Chota Nagpur plateau, this main river of India has started its lower course by flowing over the great low-lying flat plain of Bengal. In this flat plain area, the channel migration is a common phenomenon which is observed in the River Ganga also. The study is done in the segment of the Ganga River which is situated in the Diara surrounding area. Diara is a physical cum administrative region of the Malda district of the state of West Bengal of India which occupies an area of almost 900 km2. For the identification of channel migration zone, several methods are used like construction of historical migration zone (HMZ), erosion buffer (EB), avulsion potential zone (APZ), restricted and un-restricted migration area (RMA and UrMA) and retreating migration zone (RMZ). The impact of the channel migration over the villages of the Diara region has also been depicted in this study. Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (RS–GIS) is used to perform this study by taking the help of historical maps, Survey of India topographical sheets, LANDSAT imageries, etc. The results show that the river has a historical migration zone of 855.55 km2 during 1926–2016 period which is near the entire area of the Diara region (i.e. 900 km2). The construction of EB over the Ganga River for the next 100 years shows that more than half of the area of the Diara region will go under the river bed.