Exploration Study of Char Dwellers Issues in Malda-Murshidabad region West Bengal on the Stretches of Ganga River for Policy Interventions and Community Resilience
Snehal S Donde*
Fulbright Scholar & SKECT WWW.Jalsanjeevani, Chairman, India
*Corresponding Author: Snehal S Donde, Fulbright Scholar & SKECT WWW.Jalsanjeevani, Chairman, India.
Published: April 10, 2025
Abstract
Ganga flooding and erosion due to course changing behaviour has led to unstable housing and livelihood issues surrounding Char land dwellers in West Bengal. Malda-Murshidabad region in West Bengal such as Samsherganj, Parlalpur, Dhuliyan, Maheshpur Farakka are affected by river bank erosion since Commissioning of Farakka Barrage and sedimentation in Ganges has immensely affected fishing and agriculture. However, displaced community have gradually become the force of resilience occupying the Char lands. Amidst a cycle of devastation and recovery, they persist, adapt, rebuild, and embrace alternative solutions to secure their future. To understand the catastrophe and resilience methods adopted by Char land dwellers, a social and scientific diagnosis was carried out by SKECT Women Water Worriers .Jalsanjivani (WWW.Jalsnajivani) & Jalbiradari NGO, in collaboration with local NGOs, grampanchayat members, govt. administration and other stakeholders. Outcome of the study revealed that there are several NGOs and organizations working for the cause of rehabilitation for a long time, and making efforts for creating an impact for bringing back aviralta-nirmalta (purity and incessant flow) of the river Ganges and to assist displaced people, but meagrely any impact could be observed. To bridge this gap and share scientific knowledge of the river characteristics (site specific and from its origin to confluence) with the focus of its relationship with soil, forest, and human health, which is very crucial for developing a holistic perspective and reorientation of engineering infrastructure development, that Ganga Sadbhavana Yatra was planned in 2017. Not much was known or discussed about the constant threat faced and challenges of the displaced people for livelihood and basic needs. Also it was pertinent to find scope through the interventions of disaster management policies to support them. This project was an attempt to create awareness and strengthen Indigenous knowledge system, save cultural heritage and explore the traditional practices, by engaging stakeholders through participatory approach in social and scientific mapping activity. The overall intentions were to initiate scientific communication with authorities and provide inputs to develop a sensible National River Policy Framework in the country, which is missing. Study recommended that for any river restoration process connecting with historical, geographical, political, environmental, socio-economic status and philosophical background along with the local people experiences is decisive.
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