Landscape development along with hooghly river edge, Diamond Harbour, West Bengal

Abstract

It is known generally that human advancements have created along the water bodies, river specifically. The role of river in transport, sanitation, industry and sustenance has established the reason of human settlement (as noted in 'Urban Waterfront Proclamation'). This river has been life saver of the everyday life of human since long and keeps on doing so even at this point. Riverfront development which lead us down to the river, goaboutas access to these elixirs of life. Not only these assistance in offering access to water bodies, but also help in giving a one of a kind character to the city which can easily be separated from a land-locked city. The capability of developing a urban environment with the dynamic quality of river bank is high. Developments of river-fronts give a economic side to the city and activities it as an increasingly reasonable monetary framework. These riverfront act as great tourist spots and become support of landscape and indigenous social and cultural character of that specific place. Proper landscape developments and urban mediations can prompt upgrade of riverfront as 'Urban Places' where residents of diverse age gatherings can spend their time and collaborate with others. The Hooghly River is called as 'Ganga', and furthermore called Kati-Ganga, is a roughly 260-kilometer long (160 mile) distributaries of the Ganges River in West Bengal, India. The Ganges parts into the Padma and the Hooghly near Garia, Murshidabad. The Padma flows into Bangladesh, though the Hooghly flows south through West Bengal. Being enriched with such fluvial body and historical culture, the river is yet neglected and the river edge is also very much neglected. The importance could be observed during the festival of ‘Durga Puja’, ‘Pous Sankranti’ and ‘Chaat Puja’, other activities- Ganga Snan, Fishing, Picnic, Boating are observed in the river. Some of place of the Hooghly riverbank is almost abandoned. In winter many tourist visit this place for recreational purpose but there is no designed space for any recreation for the users to relax and enjoy Therefore, developing the Hooghly riverfront as recreational space integrated with its rich cultural history would provide the residents of the town and the visitors a leisure space and the town identity.