Geomorphic Environments of the Thakuran River of the Sunderbans, India

The most recognizable geomorphic environments of the Thakuran Basin of Sunderbans are river systems of fluvial, estuarine and tidal nature, tidal creek system and sandy delta beaches. The roles played by these dynamic agencies have given rise to various erosional and accretional features throughout the drainage basin. Natural levee, point bar, mid channel bar, swash platform, wash over flat and ebb-tidal delta are some of the noteworthy geomorphic features present in the area. Severe bank erosion is observed in areas of high wave action near the mouth of Thakuran River. Point bars are generally fulcate to crescentic in shape with Epsilon Cross Stratification. Depending upon the distance from the sea, the mid channel bars show varying composition from mud to sand. Both banks of Thakuran River exhibit fringing mangrove vegetation. The distal end of the muddy swash platform supports luxuriant mangrove like Phoenix paludosa forests, which is the suitable abode for the famous Royal Bengal Tigers.