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{{Short description|Islet in West Bengal, India}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}} | {{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}} | ||
{{Infobox islands | {{Infobox islands | ||
| map = India West Bengal | | map = India West Bengal#India | ||
| location = [[Bay of Bengal]] | | location = [[Bay of Bengal]] | ||
| archipelago = [[Sundarbans]] | | archipelago = [[Sundarbans]] | ||
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}} | }} | ||
[[File:Lohachara.jpg|thumb|1954 map showing Lohachara Char (Hindi for Island) in Hoogly River | [[File:Lohachara.jpg|thumb|1954 map showing Lohachara Char (Hindi for Island) in Hoogly River]] | ||
'''Lohachara Island''' was an islet | '''Lohachara Island''' was an islet in the [[Hooghly River]]'s [[Sundarbans|Sundarban delta]] that eroded away.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Leaving Lohāchāra: On circuits of emplacement and displacement in the Ganges Delta | url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273525688 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250217193220/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273525688_Leaving_Lohachara_On_circuits_of_emplacement_and_displacement_in_the_Ganges_Delta | access-date=2025-09-30 | archive-date=2025-02-17}}</ref> It was part of the [[Sundarban National Park]] in the Indian state of [[West Bengal]]. The disappearance of the island was reported by Indian researchers in December 2006,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20061228004107/http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article2099971.ece Disappearing world: Global warming claims tropical island], The Independent, 24 December 2006.</ref> which led to international press coverage. No specific study was ever done to prove that the island was permanently inundated (and not eroded away) because of sea level rise.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-03/kolkata/28047165_1_nayachar-global-warming-kolkata-and-haldia-docks | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024020214/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-03/kolkata/28047165_1_nayachar-global-warming-kolkata-and-haldia-docks | url-status=dead | archive-date=2012-10-24 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Vanishing islands: Blame on KoPT}}</ref> In April 2009 local newspapers announced that Lochara Island had risen from the water again.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-03/kolkata/28010962_1_island-ghoramara-lohachara-and-bedford | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811054259/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-03/kolkata/28010962_1_island-ghoramara-lohachara-and-bedford | url-status=dead | archive-date=2011-08-11 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Lohachara rises from waters again}}</ref> | ||
In April 2009 local | |||
== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
The islet is one of a number of "vanishing islands" in | The islet is one of a number of "vanishing islands" in the delta: in the past two decades, four islands – Bedford (or [[Suparibhanga]]), Lohachara, [[South Talpatti Island]] (disputed island between [[Bangladesh]] and [[India]]), and [[Kabasgadi]] – have been permanently flooded. Of them, only Lohachara was an inhabited island where more than 6,000 people used to live. The loss of land has displaced thousands of people who were forced to move to the mainland.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100324/ap_on_sc/as_india_disappearing_island |title=Disputed isle in Bay of Bengal disappears into sea - Yahoo! News |website=news.yahoo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326090451/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100324/ap_on_sc/as_india_disappearing_island |archive-date=2010-03-26}} </ref> | ||
There are multiple causes<ref>[http://in.news.yahoo.com/061030/48/68wfx.html The Indian Express – By 2020, 12 more Sunderban islands set to go under water] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202011114/http://in.news.yahoo.com/061030/48/68wfx.html |date=2007-02-02 }} 30 October 2006</ref> of the disappearances of islands in the delta, including [[sea | There are multiple causes<ref>[http://in.news.yahoo.com/061030/48/68wfx.html The Indian Express – By 2020, 12 more Sunderban islands set to go under water] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202011114/http://in.news.yahoo.com/061030/48/68wfx.html |date=2007-02-02 }} 30 October 2006</ref> of the disappearances of islands in the delta, including [[sea level rise]], [[coastal erosion]], [[cyclone]]s (while the number of cyclones has decreased, their intensity has increased),<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930044332/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061030/asp/knowhow/story_6929967.asp The Telegraph, Calcutta – Vanishing islands Displaced Climate casualties Underlying truth] 30 October 2006</ref> [[mangrove]] destruction and [[coastal flooding]]. | ||
In 1974 the [[Farakka Barrage]] began diverting water into the Hoogly River during its dry season. During each monsoon season almost all the Bengali delta is submerged, much of it for half a year.<ref>Rivers of Life: Living with Floods in Bangladesh. M. Q. Zaman. Asian Survey, Vol. 33, No. 10 (Oct., 1993), pp. 985-996</ref> The sediment of the lower delta plain is primarily advected inland by monsoonal coastal setup and cyclonic events.<ref> | In 1974 the [[Farakka Barrage]] began diverting water into the Hoogly River during its dry season. During each monsoon season almost all the Bengali delta is submerged, much of it for half a year.<ref>Rivers of Life: Living with Floods in Bangladesh. M. Q. Zaman. Asian Survey, Vol. 33, No. 10 (Oct., 1993), pp. 985-996</ref> The sediment of the lower delta plain is primarily advected inland by monsoonal coastal setup and cyclonic events.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs003670100069 | doi=10.1007/s003670100069 | title=Modern sediment supply to the lower delta plain of the Ganges-Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh | year=2001 | last1=M. | first1=Allison | last2=E. | first2=Kepple | journal=Geo-Marine Letters | volume=21 | issue=2 | pages=66–74 | bibcode=2001GML....21...66M | s2cid=140636544 | url-access=subscription }}</ref> One of the greatest challenges people living on the Ganges Delta may face in coming years is the threat of rising sea waters caused by [[subsidence]] (sinking) in the region.<!-- See http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ganges_Delta&oldid=92393301#Future_of_delta --> Residents have to be careful building on the river delta, as severe flooding sometimes occurs. <!-- See http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ganges_Delta&oldid=92393301#Cyclones_and_flooding --> | ||
A 1990 study noted "There is no evidence that [[environmental degradation]] in the Himalayas or a 'greenhouse'-induced rise in sea level have aggravated floods in Bangladesh."<ref>Floods in Bangladesh: II. Flood Mitigation and Environmental Aspects. H. Brammer. The Geographical Journal, Vol. 156, No. 2 (Jul., 1990), pp. 158-165. {{doi|10.2307/635323}}</ref> The Bengal Basin is slowly tilting towards the east due to neo-tectonic movement. As a result, the salinity of Bangladesh [[Sunderbans]] is much lower than that of the Indian Sunderbans.<ref>[http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/mar252003/757.pdf Environmental classification of mangrove wetlands of India]. V. Selvam. Current Science, Vol. 84, No. 6, 25 March 2003.</ref> | A 1990 study noted "There is no evidence that [[environmental degradation]] in the Himalayas or a 'greenhouse'-induced rise in sea level have aggravated floods in Bangladesh."<ref>Floods in Bangladesh: II. Flood Mitigation and Environmental Aspects. H. Brammer. The Geographical Journal, Vol. 156, No. 2 (Jul., 1990), pp. 158-165. {{doi|10.2307/635323}}</ref> The Bengal Basin is slowly tilting towards the east due to neo-tectonic movement. As a result, the salinity of Bangladesh [[Sunderbans]] is much lower than that of the Indian Sunderbans.<ref>[http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/mar252003/757.pdf Environmental classification of mangrove wetlands of India]. V. Selvam. Current Science, Vol. 84, No. 6, 25 March 2003.</ref> | ||
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== See also == | == See also == | ||
{{Portal|India|Islands}} | |||
* [[South Talpatti Island]] | * [[South Talpatti Island]] | ||
* [[Ganges Delta]] | * [[Ganges Delta]] | ||
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[[Category:Geography of South 24 Parganas district]] | [[Category:Geography of South 24 Parganas district]] | ||
[[Category:Sundarbans]] | [[Category:Sundarbans]] | ||
[[Category:Islands of India]] | |||
[[Category:Populated places in India]] | |||
[[Category:Islands of the Bay of Bengal]] | |||
Latest revision as of 06:23, 9 October 2025
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 403: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Bay of Bengal |
| Archipelago | Sundarbans |
| Administration | |
India | |
| State | West Bengal |
| District | South 24 Parganas |
| Demographics | |
| Population | none |
Lohachara Island was an islet in the Hooghly River's Sundarban delta that eroded away.[1] It was part of the Sundarban National Park in the Indian state of West Bengal. The disappearance of the island was reported by Indian researchers in December 2006,[2] which led to international press coverage. No specific study was ever done to prove that the island was permanently inundated (and not eroded away) because of sea level rise.[3] In April 2009 local newspapers announced that Lochara Island had risen from the water again.[4]
Overview[edit | edit source]
The islet is one of a number of "vanishing islands" in the delta: in the past two decades, four islands – Bedford (or Suparibhanga), Lohachara, South Talpatti Island (disputed island between Bangladesh and India), and Kabasgadi – have been permanently flooded. Of them, only Lohachara was an inhabited island where more than 6,000 people used to live. The loss of land has displaced thousands of people who were forced to move to the mainland.[5]
There are multiple causes[6] of the disappearances of islands in the delta, including sea level rise, coastal erosion, cyclones (while the number of cyclones has decreased, their intensity has increased),[7] mangrove destruction and coastal flooding.
In 1974 the Farakka Barrage began diverting water into the Hoogly River during its dry season. During each monsoon season almost all the Bengali delta is submerged, much of it for half a year.[8] The sediment of the lower delta plain is primarily advected inland by monsoonal coastal setup and cyclonic events.[9] One of the greatest challenges people living on the Ganges Delta may face in coming years is the threat of rising sea waters caused by subsidence (sinking) in the region. Residents have to be careful building on the river delta, as severe flooding sometimes occurs.
A 1990 study noted "There is no evidence that environmental degradation in the Himalayas or a 'greenhouse'-induced rise in sea level have aggravated floods in Bangladesh."[10] The Bengal Basin is slowly tilting towards the east due to neo-tectonic movement. As a result, the salinity of Bangladesh Sunderbans is much lower than that of the Indian Sunderbans.[11]
Overall population of the Sundarbans has risen 200% to nearly 4.3 million.[12]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Leaving Lohāchāra: On circuits of emplacement and displacement in the Ganges Delta". Archived from the original on 17 February 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ Disappearing world: Global warming claims tropical island, The Independent, 24 December 2006.
- ↑ "Vanishing islands: Blame on KoPT". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012.
- ↑ "Lohachara rises from waters again". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011.
- ↑ "Disputed isle in Bay of Bengal disappears into sea - Yahoo! News". news.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 26 March 2010.
- ↑ The Indian Express – By 2020, 12 more Sunderban islands set to go under water Archived 2007-02-02 at the Wayback Machine 30 October 2006
- ↑ The Telegraph, Calcutta – Vanishing islands Displaced Climate casualties Underlying truth 30 October 2006
- ↑ Rivers of Life: Living with Floods in Bangladesh. M. Q. Zaman. Asian Survey, Vol. 33, No. 10 (Oct., 1993), pp. 985-996
- ↑ M., Allison; E., Kepple (2001). "Modern sediment supply to the lower delta plain of the Ganges-Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh". Geo-Marine Letters. 21 (2): 66–74. Bibcode:2001GML....21...66M. doi:10.1007/s003670100069. S2CID 140636544.
- ↑ Floods in Bangladesh: II. Flood Mitigation and Environmental Aspects. H. Brammer. The Geographical Journal, Vol. 156, No. 2 (Jul., 1990), pp. 158-165. doi:10.2307/635323
- ↑ Environmental classification of mangrove wetlands of India. V. Selvam. Current Science, Vol. 84, No. 6, 25 March 2003.
- ↑ BBC - Fears rise for sinking Sundarbans 15 September 2003