A Journey Toward Oxbow Lake Formation and Associated Change in Human Mosaic: Study on Kalindri River of Malda District

Abstract

This paper aims to illustrate the phases of oxbow lake formation in Kalindri river adjacent of Naogharia region and how over time being these oxbow lakes have converted into wetlands of multifaceted resource pools. At the same time it is also being attempted to show how the dynamics of river course is entangled with dynamism of population migration, settlement shifting, occupational shifting, and change of economic activities. Consultations of some old maps, local peoples' perceptions, time to time field survey etc. have done to prepare this article. It is found that two successive oxbow lakes formation and frequent over spilling events have direct impact on shifting of higher class population and settlement but the soil Childs are more interested to adjust with the situation. Poor sections of people have been adjusting themselves with changing physical setup and they have no anguish for frequent rehabilitation. Process of oxbow lake formation has also generated an excellent fertile land and which is considered to be a agricultural hotspot. Similarly, formation of oxbow lake wetland has generated good livelihood stability with ample opportunities of fishing, shelling, crabbing, hydrophytic vegetable production, wetland based irrigation non monsoon agriculture practices etc.