DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY(VIDYASAGAR UNIVERSITY) (Medinipur (Midnapore))

 university, department of geography

Department of Geography and Environment Management:
Being initiated in September 1995, the Dept. of Geography and Environment Management experiences a steep growth and presently has faculty strength of 6 members and student strength of 120.
The current Post-Graduate curriculum includes following emerging issues:
Environmental hazards and disasters along with their rational management Planning for the development of backward areas
Resource management at the village level using Remote Sensing and GIS tools
Landuse and land cover changes and their environmental consequences
Contemporary philosophical developments in Geographical academics
Population-Environment-Development debates
Globalization, Privatization and Liberalization and the politics involved
Coastal environmental concerns at the face of Global Climatic Change
Water, Land and Energy crisis and related issues
Analysis and synthesis of spatial information with Remote sensing & GIS
Advanced quantitative techniques in exploring geo-spatial data
Modern survey techniques and mapping The research works are being carried out in the following applied fields of Geography and Environmental Sciences.
Human modifications of the coastal zone environment.
Evolution of estuarine environment of river Hooghly.
Geomorphological evolutions of Subarnarekha Chenier delta.
Historical Geography of maritime activities in Hooghly estuary.
Land degradations and its environmental as well as social consequences in Subanarekha River Basin.
Forest degradations and their impacts on society in Kasai-Subarnarekha interfluve region.
Changing farming practices and its environmental consequences in Purba Medinipur coastal district.
Environmental assessment of Rupnarayan plain between Haldi, Hooghly and Rupnarayan estuaries.
Environmental impacts and perception study in Keleghai river basin.
Studies on micro-irrigation projects in the Puruliya District.
Lateritic landscape of western highland of West Bengal.
Pedogeomorphology of the western districts of West Bengal.
Urban Morphological and economic dynamics of Medinipur Municipal area.
Landuse and land management and their pedogeomorphic perspectives.
Community health in Medinipur Municipal area.
Urban social issues in the Medinipur Municipal area.
Stream ecological studies in Kasai River.
Embankment breaching in reclaimed Sundarbans.
Slope instability in Tindharia Cricket Colony.
Morphological and socio-economic disparities among various urban centres in the Hilly tracts of West Bengal.
Consequences of immigration in the urban centres of West Bengal.
Flood problems in Silabati river basin.
Handloom and cottage industries of Bishnupur and Sonamukhi, Bankura.
Tribal and folk culture of Western parts of West Bengal.
Woman and Child health in urban areas.
Impacts of exploitation of natural resource base and consequent man-nature conflicts.
Cultural resource development and their environmental problems
Regional Development Strategies- Paschim Medinipur.
Rill Gully erosion
Running Projects:
Minor Research Projects funded by UGC

Dr. Ashis Kumar Paul, Reader: (Project Sanctioned), 2005-2007

Title: Environment Management and promotion of coastal tourism under shoreline changes in Hugli-Subarnarekha estuarine complex.
Allocated Amount Rs. 93,000/-

Dr. Ramkrishna Maiti, Senior Lecturer: (Project Sanctioned), 2006-2008

Title: Identification of potential Slope failure zones of shivkhola watershed; Darjelling Himalaya, through critical analysis of slope instability- A step towards rational and scientific management of land, Soil and water.

Allocated Amount Rs. 1,00,000/-

Mr. Utpal Roy, Lecturer: (Project Sanctioned), 2007-2009

Title: A critical analysis of irrational construction, congestion and immigration in Kurseong town: A step towards better management.

Allocated Amount Rs. 1,00,000/-

Department has been Recognised Under Various Schemes :

The departmental infrastructure is sponsored by DST-FIST Programme from 2005 onwards. A sophisticated Digital Laboratory with all modern RS-GIS software has been established with the help of Deptt. Of Science and Technology, New Delhi.
VISION OF THE DEPARTMENT
◙ ASSESSMENT OF THE REGIONAL PROBLEMS

The department looks forward to evaluate the regional resource endowment along with the problems in utilizing them. As such the vision of the department has been set to appraise and manage the quasi-natural hazards associated with land degradation, forest resource depletion, coastal erosion, flooding and water logging, drought, economic backwardness in marginal environments, problems of adjustment in the increasing uncertainties etc. which have assumed regional importance.

◙ EXPLORATION OF REGIONAL POTENTIALITIES

The department carries out researches to explore the regional potentialities through promotion of tourism and recreation, sustainable use of forest resources, scientific operation of marine and farm fishing, commercialization of agricultural activities and exploration of market opportunities, mobilization of water resources and environmental evaluation of terrains for their judicious utilization.
◙ ESTIMATION OF REGIONAL RISKS

The catchment area of the university is liable to be specifically affected by flooding, erosion or cyclones depending on terrain characters and situations. It is an urgent task of the department to estimate the vulnerabilities of the people to those risks and frame management strategies to combat them.