• Dr. Satyajit Dhara

The 350 km long coast line of West Bengal along the Bay of Bengal is dominated by the Ganga delta The river mouths are significant sediment input areas of the coastal zones. They are the supply paths of fresh water and sediments of the catchment areas which are usually transferred from riverine to marine systems into the coasts. The sea water connections of the estuaries are largely influenced by tidal inflows. The shallow offshore portion of the Bay of Bengal is strongly influenced by Hugli estuary, Saptamukhi estuary, Thakuran estuary, Matla estuary etc. The lower portion of the South Western part of the Ganga delta where Hugli River entered Bay of Bengal is known as Hugli estuary. The lower portion of the Saptamukhi River is known as Saptamukhi estuary. Due to the deposition of the sediments at the mouth of the river Ganga, a large delta developed known as the Ganges delta. So many islands formed at the mouth of the Hugli River, Saptamukhi River and many other rivers of Indian Sundarban. Hugli- Saptamukhi estuarine deltaic complex is one of the dynamic geomorphological and ecological areas of the West Bengal coast. Numerous tidal creeks dominated by mangrove vegetation at the river bank margin, deltaic flat, high wave energy, continuous erosion and deposition process wind and tidal energy make the area very diverse in character. The fragile mangrove ecosystem along with tidal inflow and outflow along with tidal creeks and location of the Bay of Bengal at the Southern part of the Indian Sundarban make the deltaic planes a special character for researchers to do research works in Marine Science, Geology, Coastal Geomorphology, History and many other disciplines. Maximum portion of the Hugli and Saptamukhi estuary inundated during high tide and the water level goes down during low tide. During strong cyclones huge marine energy are generated which exerts on the coastal systems. In the lower Ganga deltaic plane along with so many islands the Indian Sundarban is geographically distributed. The increased population in the low lying coastal plains of West Bengal and the direct impact of human activities the natural delta building process as well as coastal eco system is very much influenced. Land reclamation by mangrove degradation for agricultural purpose, disruption of the natural flow of the rivers for the construction of embankment, huge resource exploitation from the forests, rivers; estuaries have an adverse impact on the environment. At present global warming with sea level rise, increase salinity in a river and sea water, coastal erosion, shoreline shift, recreational activity and many other factors make this area most hazards prone and vulnerable for the existence coastal community. The present paper tries to explain and discuss the nature of relationship between the physical environment and cultural aspect of the study region. It will help us to make an assessment of the environment of the Hugli Saptamukhi river complex.

: Physical environment, Hugli Saptamukhi River, deltaic complex, river system, soil salinity, estuarine environment, global warming, sea level rise.

"Physical Environmental Setting of the Hugli – Saptamukhi Estuarine Deltaic Complex in South West Sundarban, West Bengal.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 2, page no.481-495, February-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1902A72.pdf

"Physical Environmental Setting of the Hugli – Saptamukhi Estuarine Deltaic Complex in South West Sundarban, West Bengal.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 2, page no. pp481-495, February-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1902A72.pdf