Geographies of the Indian Subcontinent: Cutting-Edge Methods in 21st Century Research

This contributed volume presents the latest in research on geographies of the Indian Subcontinent, with a focus on innovative technologies and methodologies such as machine learning, remote sensing, geographic information systems, and more. The cases presented in this volume offer novel research that advances our understanding of the Indian Subcontinent in integrated and interdisciplinary manner. The book is split into three distinct sections. The first covers field observations and experiment design. The second examines applications of geospatial technologies and modelling techniques. The last section highlights cases of translating this research into concrete policy. The techniques described here and the lessons learned from the cases presented are transferrable to problems in geography across the globe, and the book is targeted towards young professors, scholars, and researchers interested in the emerging techniques being applied to research in the field of geography and allied disciplines.

Sukla Hazra, Ex- Principal, East Calcutta Girls’ College, currently associated with the Techno India University as a Visiting Professor, did her M.A. and Ph. D in Geography from the University of Calcutta. She undertook advanced training on GIS Mapping at Laval University, Quebec, Canada. She taught Undergraduate and Post graduate students for the last 37 years at different Colleges and Universities. She was Coordinator of Distance Education affiliated under Vidyasagar University on “M. Sc in Geography”. She was the Director of “Centre of GIS and Remote Sensing” in the East Calcutta Girls’ College under the University Grants Commission (UGC). She was member of the NAAC Advisory Committee of the Kalinagar Mahavidyalaya, South 24 Parganas.  She was a visiting Professor of the West Bengal State University, Barasat, and undertook courses on Population Geography and Agricultural Geography. She is a member of Executive Committee of the Indian National Cartographic Association. She undertook a few UGC funded research projects and published several textbooks of school level and Undergraduate level in Geography. Her areas of Research interest are ‘Applications of Remote Sensing’, ‘Urbanization’, ‘Environmental Studies’, ‘Sustainable Development’, ‘Agriculture’, ‘Food Security’, and ‘Wetland’. She has guided many doctoral students, and at present three researchers are working for their Ph. D. degree under her supervision. She published more than 50 research papers in different journals. She has also delivered lectures in seminars and symposia as invited speakers.

Anwesha Haldar is serving as an assistant professor at the post-graduate department of Geography, East Calcutta Girls' College, West Bengal State University since 2020. She was a university rank holder from Loreto College and went on to complete her masters at the University of Calcutta. She has done her Ph. D. on Sustainable Energy Management of Sundarban region, India from the Department of Geography, University of Calcutta and has undertaken several specialized courses in Geospatial technologies and short term courses under GIAN organized by IIT, Kharagpur and IIEST, Shibpur. She has taught geography for the last 14 years at the under graduate and post-graduate levels under the University of Calcutta, West Bengal State University, Rabindra Bharati University in the regular mode as well as at the Directorate of Distance and Online Education and Vidyasagar University, Distance Education Course. She actively coordinates courses in remote sensing and GIS. Dr. Haldar is an enthusiastic field researcher and presented papers across India and abroad. She has also published in reputed national and international journals, in the fields of urban geomorphology, climatology, environmental geography and hazard management studies. She is credited with four co-edited books on different aspects of geography. Presently, she is the managing editor of the Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies and a significant member of the India Meteorological Society, Kolkata Chapter. She is currently working on gender issues and environment.

Rajarshi Dasgupta is currently a State Aided College Teacher-I in the Department of Geography, East Calcutta Girls’ College. He has completed his undergraduate studies in Geography from University of Calcutta, Kolkata and postgraduate studies in Geography and Geology from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and University of Cincinnati, USA respectively. He is a physical geographer with research interests in Geomorphology and Environmental Management. His research utilises techniques of geomorphology, low temperature geochemistry and social sciences to study earth surface processes and anthropogenic impacts on the natural environment, especially in the tropics. He has presented talks on these themes in conferences both within India and abroad. His papers, both nationally and internationally, include several in outlets from leading publishing houses like Wiley, Elsevier and Springer. He also teaches courses on the above-mentioned themes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and regularly supervises postgraduate students for their dissertations. A number of these student-led research have also been published in reputed journals published by the leading publishers mentioned above.

Pinaki Sarkar is an Assistant Professor at East Calcutta Girls’ College, Kolkata, affiliated to West Bengal State University, teaching both under-graduate and post-graduate courses in Geography. He has graduated from Presidency College, Kolkata in Geography (1997), he has Awarded National Scholarship for B.Sc Geography (Honours) Examination in 1997 and was a research scholar in the Department of Geography, University of Calcutta, from where he had post-graduated (1999) and later received his Ph.D. degree in Science (2019) for his research on watershed management and socio-economic development of Gandheswari watershed area. He has awarded the degree of Bachelor of Education (B. Ed) from All Bengal Teachers Training College; University of Calcutta (2002) and Awarded UGC Junior Resource Fellowship, 2003.  He is the life member of Indian National Cartographic Association (LM-1777), The Geographical Society of India (L/S-148) and Bangiyo Bhugol Mancha (LM/011’07’156). He has published many research articles in reputed journals, and presented papers in the fields of rural development.

Mrs. Subhasree Singha Roy has graduated from the University of Calcutta and postgraduated in urban studies from Guru Ghasidas University. As a dedicated and passionate geography lecturer, she brings over 19 years of experience in higher education, specializing in social geography, computer applications, and GIS. She has developed and taught engaging courses that integrate fieldwork, technology, and real-world case studies. She is committed to fostering critical thinking skills and empowering students to apply geographical concepts to address global challenges.

Panchali Majumdar is a senior academician working in different fields in geography with special emphasis on micro level planning. She was a student of Geography in the Presidency College, Kolkata and did her Post Graduate degree from University of Calcutta with specialization in Regional planning. She got her Ph.D degree in “Panchayet System of Organisation and Implementation of Rural Development Programme at Panchayet Level-A Geographical Analysis (Case study of Barrackpore Block II)”. Dr. Majumdar is currently Associate Professor in Geography of East Calcutta Girls’ College where she has groomed the department for near about three decades from a toddler to a self-sufficient one which is today expanded into a Post Graduate department with research facilities. Dr. Majumdar was a member of the Governing Body and has experienced three cycles of NAAC and also acted as a successful IQAC Coordinator. She is an invited guest faculty of West Bengal State University and a resource person at UGC-HRDC, Ranchi University. She is the executive council member of Geographical Society of India, Institute of Landscape, Ecology and Ekistics and Institutional life member of Indian Statistical Institute, Course Coordinator of IIRS Distance learning (Nodal Centre East Calcutta Girls’ College), Treasurer of Indian National Cartographic Association (INCA Kolkata Branch).  Dr. Majumdar has organized and presented in a number of National and International Seminars and workshops. She also have published several national and international publications. Along with her academic profile she is also a positive contributor to the societal development and she has contributed to the society as a National Service Scheme Program Officer.