The Environmental Problems Of Guwahati Environmental Sciences Essay

The Environmental Problems Of Guwahati Environmental Sciences EssayGuwahati, the largest metropolis of north eastern United Statesern United Statesern orbit of India with an area of 216 sq.km, It is the fifth fastest growing metropolis of India in terms of urbanization.Guwahati being the only urban center of North eastern region, the metropolis witnessed some(prenominal) changes like rapid increase of population, depletion of forest cover, spread of diseases which resulted numerous environmental problems akin to land, air, peeing and society. nigh of the changes have taken place due to the effect of ever-changing natural environment, tremendous growth of population dowericularly after shifting of the capital from Shillong to Dispur, hill set up destabilization due to construction of roads, dwelling houses, public institutions and also for infraction in wetlands and low guile areas. As the city of Guwahati is bounded on three sides by hills and the opposite side by the ju stly river Brahmaputra, the horizontal expansion is restricted for which numerous multistoried buildings have come up in brand-new-fashi onenessd years just to accommodate ever increasing population (1991- 2001 decadal growth valuate is 38.6%) . On the other hand, required infrastructure and city amenities necessary for city dwellers and city users have not essential accordingly. As a result many problems arisen in the city, such as traffic congestion, water put down, stale atmosphere, water borne and airborne diseases etc.In this study an attempt has been given to highlight the environmental problems arisen in Guwahati, their typesetters cases and consequences.IntroductionThe city of Guwahati is said to be the legendary Pragjyotispur, the city of eastern light. Guwahati is said to be the inlet of Northeast India. The city is situated between 260 1025 north latitude and 910 450 east longitude. The southern, eastern and a disunite of western sides of Guwahati are surrounded by hills and hillocks. The mighty river Brahmaputra in the north is flowing in northeastward to south-west controlion. Other important rivers in and around Guwahati are Bharalu, Mora-bharalu, Basistha-bahini etc. The city is dotted with swamps, marshes and water bodies like Dipor beel, Dighali pukhuri, Silsaku bill etc. The city falls under humid, subtropical region characterized by perfervid humid climate with heavy rainfall (average rainfall 1600mm) and a relatively cool winter with instead scanty rainfall. The maximum and minimum temperature recorded in the city is 38 degree and 16 degree respectively with relative humidity of more than 76.6%. As the city is the mercenary nerve centre of the Northeast has developed road (National Highway No31, No37 and No 40), rail and air connectivity with rest of the country.Main problems identified in the city are different types of pollution caused due to man induced activities, increase of population, water logging, defect erosion etc .AimsThis study aims at creating such an environment in Guwahati that the city could be do livable and lovable one. With this aim the objective this study has been designedObjectivesTo analyze the geo-ecological setup of Guwahati.To highlight the environmental problems associated with planning process of the city.To examine the cause and effect of various problems, andTo throw light on the sanative measures to be taken to minimize the miseries of the city dwellers and city users.MethodologyHere, in the study both primary and secondary sources of data have been used. Primary data were collected by spot visit and direct observation of the phenomena. On the other hand secondary data have been collected from various create works such as books, journals research articles, reports etc. Topographical maps (No 78N/12 16) and satellite imageries (SPOT MLA P-238, R-298 Dated 18/10/1990 and realmsat TM P-137, R -042 Dated 10/06/1988) have been used to examine the nature of the city growth , understand the environmental issues and to find out solutions for minimizing the miseries of the city dwellers.Collected data have been summarized, analyzed and presented in various forms like graphs, tables, maps etc. for easy understanding of the content of the paper.Data Analysis and Findings1. Locational peculiarity of the city invites many environmental problems. Back in time the city was known as Pragjyotishpur, which finds mention in Mahabharata, Rawhitethornana, Raghuvansha of Kalidas. Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang visited the city in 640 AD and described in details about the usance and manners of the people of Guwahati. Located on strategic point the city has always been a operating system of contention between rival political powers. A number of bloody wars were fought between Ahom and Mughal rulers for Guwahatis possession.Deforestation growth in sur feeling run offHILLSHill slope destabilizationSoil erosionLand slide/ land slipRock fallHill landSiltation in low assem blyareas and storm waterencroachmentdrainsPLAINSDecrease in waterWetlandretention capacityInundation of new areasencroachmentHampers free flow ofwaterDegeneration of waterWETLANDSbodiesDwindling Flora FaunaFig. 1 Schematic Diagram showing impact of human activities on the environmental problems of GuwahatiWith the weakening of Ahom power in Assam, the city passed into the hands of British in 1826. During the British days political pre-eminence of Guwahati shifted to Shillong, which they chose as State Capital. In 1971 with the reorganization of Assam State and shifting of capital to Guwahati (Dispur) it again recovered its political pre-eminence in north east region 1. Since then Guwahati has made a rapid progress as far as demographic, commercial and industrial activities are concerned. All these activities are responsible for many environmental problems in the city (Fig.1). .2. geographic and geological setups are responsible to a great extent for the problems like water-logging , landslide etc. in the city. The general shape of the city is just like a bowl surrounded by hills and hillocks in three sides and river side roads on the remaining side. The altitude in the plain areas of the city varies from 49.5m to 55.5m. . in that respect are a number of small hillocks in the city of which Sarania (193m), Nabagraha (217m), Nilachal (193m), and Chunsali (293m) are important. The hills are composed of Granite, Quartzite, Hornblende-Biotic-Schist, Pegmatite and Quartz. On the other hand the plain areas of the city covered byold and new alluvium. Most part of the city composed of light yellowish to red soil. When the soils completely water saturate during the monsoon months accelerate the rate of landslide hazards. The granitic rocks on the hills gradually exposed due to hill soil erosion. Quite lots rock fall occur during the end part of the monsoon months and take precious human lives and damage property. Since dreadful 1987 to August 2005 as many as 22 case s of landslide and rock fall cases recorded in different locations of Guwahati.3. Climatic condition particularly rainfall concentration in monsoon months from June to September cause many inconvenience like water-logging, covered atmosphere, spread of water borne and airborne dieses . Usually June rainfall is always portentous but the downpour absorbed by soil. At this stage landslide, rock fall and water logging etc. do not arise. But from July onwards in each heavy shower cause water logging in the areas like Narengi, Satgaon, Saimail, Khanapara, Noonmati, Bamunimaidam, Chandmari, Silpukhuri, Guwahati Club, Uzanbazar, Panbazar, Fancy Bazar, Paltan Bazar, Athgaon, Bharalumukh, Maligaon, Adabari, Jalukbari, G.S. Road, Zoo Road Tinali, Rajgarj Road, Bhangagarh, Dispur. When hill soils become saturated landslide and rock fall occur. Again, immediately after water logging, road surface become nebulose and roadside drains clogged with silt derived from the hills. Soon after, dry mud on the roads create dusty atmosphere and increase air pollution. Moreover, storm water cause mixing of drain water and putrefactive tank effluents with drinking water sources aggravate the health hazards in the city.4. Almost all the problems of the city colligate to the population growth. The decadal growth of population in Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) clearly indicates how population may create problems in the city (Table- 1) The urban sprawl map since 1911 also indicate how city has been grow (Fig-4). This has drastically changed the land use pattern in the city (Table-2).More particularly slums and squatters have increased complex in last few years. As a result many inconvenience and problems have arisen in the city.5. Defective planning and lacuna in executing the development schemes aggravate the problems in the city. In this regard, shortsighted road space, lack of parking facility, undersized roadside drains, haphazardly laid utility wires and pip es are worth(predicate) mentioning. Almost all the important roads, viz. GNB Road, GS Road, MG Road and most of the traffic point face acute traffic congestion. Up to 1975 the number of motorized vehicles in the city was only 27,000 which has increased to 1,29,856 in the year 1990. After that the rate of increase accelerated and by 2003 it records 3,13,387. As such around one lakh motor vehicle added to the roads of Guwahati every year 2. On the other hand the city area has increased by only 46 sq km in last twenty years. Most of the streets in the city are only 4.8m wide. There are many lanes, which have only 3.6m or even 3.0m width. Theses should be at least 8.0m for light and medium vehicles and at least 9.0m for heavy vehicles 3. The results of the vehicular emission show the violation in emission limit by 53 percent and 81 percent in case of petrol and diesel vehicles respectively 4 5. It clearly indicates the magnitude of pollution take in the city.6. Lack of awareness and tendency of violating the norms and rules in constructing houses, disposing household wastes and abiding traffic rules cause many problems in the city.7. Slackness in enforcing laws also responsible for the problems of traffic congestion, waste disposal, hill slope destabilization, wetland encroachment and various types of pollution in the city.Table- 1 Population Growth in Guwahati (from 1971 to 2001)Year Population19712,93,21919814,51,20019916,93,660200110,67,4001200000 meg800000600000Population40000020000001971198119912001Fig. 3Population Growth in Guwahati (from 1971 to 2001)Land Use Category19902001residential8904(71.04%)6600Commercial202(1.62%)660Industrial516(4.14%)1375Public Semi Public1504(12.08%)2475Transport 1053(8.47%)3399CommunicationParks Recreation14(0.11%)1450Special Use/Others257(2.06%)Table- 2 Area under Various Land Uses 1990 to 2001