Geo-Environmental Problems Associated with Mariani Town, Jorhat, Assam

Abstract

A geo-environmental study of an area analyzes the physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment to understand and manage them sustainably. It involves mapping resources, assessing natural hazards like floods, erosion and planning for sustainable land use. Geo-environment refers to the geographical and environmental factors effecting the natural landscape of an area. This paper aims to examine the principal geo-environmental problems affecting the town of Mariani with emphasis on river pollution, water quality and supply issues, flood and erosion hazards, land-use change and solid-waste management, and anthropogenic impacts. The study uses government data, local institutional reports, regional news and peer-reviewed literature for identification of existing problems, categorisation of the factors or underlying drivers, and suggest few mitigation, monitoring and planning actions appropriate for a rapidly changing peri-urban area of Mariani town which is dominated by tea gardens and transport infrastructure.