Priyank Pravin Patel

Riverbed sand mining on the Damodar near Nabagram village in West Bengal, showing an influx of JCBs and trucks on the riverbed. The various anthropogeomorphic landforms induced by sand mining are also visible such as, sand mounds, excavated sand pools, and levelled sand tracks created by mining activity.

Rivers and Lakes

How sand mining is reshaping riverbeds and water quality in India

Priyank Pravin Patel

12 Feb 2026

8 min read

A woman searching for her utensils in debris of her house which collapsed after Cyclone Aila (Image: Anil Gulati, Wikimedia Commons)

Enhancing Sundarbans' early warning for disaster preparedness

11 Apr 2023

6 min read