Research Projects

The River Churni, a non-perennial, tidal, and ungauged river in West Bengal, faces significant challenges in monitoring and assessing water and sediment pollution. Contamination by anthropogenic chemicals and pollutants from industries, municipalities, and agriculture threatens the ecosystems, public health, and river ecology. The river, which serves as a major aquaculture, irrigation, domestic water supply, and outdoor bathing area, is undergoing significant challenges due to its non-perennial, tidal, and ungauged nature. In December 2019, the National Green-Tribunal declared Churni as the third most polluted river in West Bengal. The study proposes understanding the relationship between river flow, water quality, sediment quality, and sediment flux using hydrodynamic modelling and multivariate statistical approaches. This will help identify similarities and differences between sampling stations, evaluate the contribution of water quality parameters to temporal variations in water quality, and identify types of pollution affecting water and sediment quality. The sediment yield is directly linked to discharge, providing a novel approach for environmental flow assessment. The project aims to develop a robust novel approach for river restoration, finding holistic solutions. However, data lack is a primary obstacle for modeling in ungauged catchments, and appropriate strategies can be used for efficient water resource management. The study aims to develop a universal approach in this context.