Geomorphic Dynamism along the South Odisha Coast, India

Abstract

Rivers emanating from Eastern Ghat Belt Hills (EGBH) and flowing east in Odisha are little studied, contrasting with the South Mahanadi Rivers and the Chilika Lagoon. The south Odisha Coast (SOC) has a coastal stretch of ≈200km between the Konark to the Bahuda River mouth, comprising an area of ≈10,000 Km2. The present study addresses the under-researched rivers (the Rushikulya, the Salia, the Makara) along the South Odisha Coast, which has significant contribution, in contrast most prior works emphasizes the Mahanadi system and Chilika Lagoon. The integration of RS/GIS, field data, LULC, sedimentation, water quality, surface indices (like NDVI, NDBI, NDMI and NDWI etc) and geomorphic proxies make the study interdisciplinary and geomorphic proxies. The SOC rivers have not formed any delta in its tail reaches. During 21st century the meteorological, geomorphological and anthropogenic changes have shattered the SOC.  The interventions like the Salia dam, Rare Earths Limited, surge in settlements, coastal erosion has threatened the people, the ecosystem and the vegetation of the area. Pertinent actions to be taken for satisfying SDG-15 (Life on Land) and SDG-6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).