BANK PROTECTION WORKS ALONG RIVER GANGA NEAR DAKSHINESHWAR TEMPLE

Dakhineshwar temple is located on the banks of River Hooghly, in district of North 24 Paraganas. The district lies within the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta. Tidal bore phenomenon is prevalent in Hooghly river. During the tidal bore, the incoming tides are funneled into a shallow narrowing river (estuary zone), causing the river to flow in opposite direction. Due to the large tidal variation in the river, there was a turbulence at the base of the existing embankment structure. This caused excessive and continuous erosion damage to the bank portion of Dakhineshwar temple. During the heavy rains, the water level in the river would rise, resulting in flooding of adjacent areas. Bank erosion is often caused by natural processes but it can also be due to human intervention especially livestock management, vegetation management and river engineering. Bank erosion can result in a loss of land and threaten properties or structures. The deposition of eroded bank material further towards downstream also causes damage, both to structures and environment.