Ashis Sarkar, Professor and Head
B.Sc (1976, Presidency College), M.Sc (Calcutta University, 1978), Ph.D (Calcutta University, 1991)
as.geog@presidencycollegekolkata.ac.in
prof_drashis@rediffmail.com, prof_drashis@yahoo.co.uk    
Area of Specialisation: Geography – theory and practice; Nature and Man; Geomorphology, Cartography and Geoinformatics

Areas of Interest
Art and Literature; Graphics and Presentation; Geography – theory and practice; Nature and Man; Geomorphology, Cartography and Geoinformatics

Area of Research
• Cartography and Geoinformatics
• Humid Tropical Geomorphology
• Rural Sanitation, Women Education, Development and Social Change
• Economic Activity, Developmental Disparity and Environmental Impacts

Ongoing Research Projects
UGC MRP: Mapping the Flood-Prone Areas in Hooghly District, West Bengal using Satellite Data and GIS for Mitigation and Development

UGC Research: Changing Pattern of Agriculture in West Bengal

UGC Research : Geomorphology of the Dulung River basin using Remote Sensing and GIS

The on-going Ph.D Research (registered) are –
Characteristics and Correlates of Sanitation – a geographical analysis of Nandigram, East Medinipur, West Bengal

The Changing Face of Sundarbans – a microgeographical study of Daudpur, North 24 Parganas

Habitat and Socio-Economic Development of the Scheduled Tribe Population of Darjeeling District, West Bengal – a geo-environmental analysis

Terrain Analysis of Dulung Basin

Women Education and Social Change in West Bengal – a geographic appraisal

Quantitative Fluvial Geomorphological Analysis of the Dulung R. Basin using RS, GIS and GPS

Research Groups
•  Geographical Society of India, Calcutta
•  Indian Society of Landscape, Ecology & Ekistics, Calcutta
•  Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Dehradun
•  Regional Science Association, IIT, Kharagpur
•  Indian Institute of Geomorphology, Allahabad
•  Indian Society of Earth Science, Calcutta
•  Indian National Cartographical Association, Hyderabad
•  Indian Geographical Foundations, Calcutta

Courses Taught
Undergraduate Class: Scale, Surveying and Statistical Techniques
Post-graduate Class: Cartography, Geostatistics, Computer Applications, Quantitative Analysis, Remote Sensing and GIS, Advanced Cartography and Geoinformatics, Fluvial Geomorphology

List of Publications
Recent Publications
Geographical Analysis – tools and techniques, Bhugolika, Vol – X, No – 1 – 2, pp 5 – 10, BBM, Kolkata, 2004

Cartographic Modelling – a new frontier in geographical research, The Observer, SGA, CU, 2004, Vol – 47, pp 37 – 40

Environmental Impacts of Bank Erosion, in M. Desai ( ed ) – The Dying Earth, Netaji Institute of Asian Studies, 2004 , Kolkata

Maternal and Child Health Scenario – a case study of Bangur Hospital, iver Bank Erosion – Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, Vol–27, No–1, pp109–119 (with Tilottama Ghosh)

River Bank Erosion – geomorphology and environment, in S. Singh, H.S.Sharma and S.De (ed) – Geomorphology and Environment, pp86 – 106, ACB Publications, 2004, Kolkata

Old Age Homes of Kolkata, Autumn Annual, Vol – XXXIII, Presidency College Alumni Association, 2004 – 2005, pp 135 – 146 (with Tilottama Ghosh)

Flood Management using Satellite Remote Sensing Techniques, The Observer, Vol – 48, pp 37 – 40, SGA, CU, 2005,

Natural Disaster and its Management – the geographical issues, in Banerjee, A , et al (ed: 2005) : Combating Disaster – perspectives in the new millennium, ACB Pub, 2005, Kolkata

Principles of Mapping and Analysis of Terrain – a modern concept, Traverse, Vol – 38, Geographical Institute, Presidency College, Kolkata

Papers
Geomorphic Regions – a hypothesis, Landscape Systems, 1979, Vol – II, No. 1 & 2, pp 41 – 42

On the Fluctuation of Water Table Surface in the District of Nadia, West Bengal, Research Bulletin, 1981, No. – 1, CAAGR, pp 38 – 44

Some Selected Map Projections for India – their relative efficiencies, Geographical Review of India, 1981, Vol – 43, No. – 2, pp 182 – 195 (with P. Roy)

Some Considerations in Theoretical Fluviology, Geographical Review of India, 1984, Vol – 46, No. – 2, pp 82 – 85

Some Deductions in Theoretical Fluviology, in Sen P (ed : 1985) : Concepts and Methods in Geography, Institute of Geography, Burdwan University, pp 150 – 154

Rank – Size Distribution of Urban Settlements in West Bengal, Geographical Review of India, 1987, Vol – 49, No. – 4, pp 1 – 12

Growth of Size – Class Distribution of Urban Settlements in West Bengal, Geographical Review of India, 1988, Vol – 50, No. – 1, pp 39 – 46

A Study of Urban Growth in West Bengal during the period, 1901 – 1981, Geographical Review of India, 1989, Vol – 51, No. – 4, pp 65 – 74

Pattern of Inter – Class Mobility of Urban Settlements in West Bengal, 1901 – 1981, Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, 1990, Vol – 13, No. – 1, pp 134 – 138

Growth of Urbanization in West Bengal – a purview, Sutanuty Gazette, 1990, Vol – VII, No. – 8, pp 3 – 20

Working out a Geological Map on Geographic Perspective, Research Bulletin, 1990, No. – 2, CAAGR, pp 53 – 63 (with U. Mukhopadhyay)

Tendency of the Urban Settlement Patterns in West Bengal, 1901 – 1981, Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, 1991, Vol – 14, No. – 2, pp 50 – 55

An Entropy Model for the Evolution of Spatial Urban System of West Bengal, 1901 – 1981, Geographical Review of India, 1992, Vol – 54, No. – 1, pp 65 – 71

Stratospheric Ozone Depletion – a report, Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, 1992, Vol – 15, No. – 1, pp 61 – 69

Trend Surface Analysis of Urbanization in West Bengal, Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, 1993, Vol – 16, No. – 1, pp 81 – 86

Size and Spacing of Urban Settlements in West Bengal, 1901 – 1981, Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, 1994, Vol – 17, No. – 2, pp 53 – 61

2nd Order TDCN Configuration – an alternative approach, Indian journal of Earth Science, 1994, Vol – 21, No. – 4, pp 226 – 235

Morphometric Identity of TDCN Basins – a case study of Lodham Khola basin, Darjilling Himalayas, Indian Journal of Geology, 1995, Vol – 67, No. – 2, pp 142 – 150

Bibhinna Prakar Manchitra – O – Tather Byabahar, Bhugolika (Bengali), 1995, Vol – 3, No. – 1, pp 23 – 29

The Rupnarayan river – a study in channel patterns, Indian Journal of Power and River Valley Projects, July – August Issue, 1995, pp 100 – 105

Field Work in Geography – the basic principles, Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, 1995, Vol – 18, No. – 2, pp 62 – 68

Urban Growth and Urban System Development in West Bengal, Geographical Review of India, 1995, Vol – 57, No. – 1, pp 56 – 68

Bhugol Bijnaner Kichhu Paribhasa, Bhugolika (Bengali), 1996, Vol – 4, No. – 1, pp 30 – 36

Geographical Information System (GIS) – fundamentals and basic principles, Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, 1996, Vol – 19, No. – 2, pp 16 – 22

A Multivariate Analysis of Urbanization of West Bengal, 1901 – 1981, in Tripathi R S and S B Singh (ed: 1996): Social and Economic Development in India, 1996, Ashis Publishing House, New Delhi

Spatial Pattern of Urban Growth in West Bengal during the 20th Century – an analysis, in Hazra J (ed : 1997) : Dimensions of Human Geography, 1997, Rawat Publishers, New Delhi

Bhugol Bijnaner Kichhu Paribhasa, Bhugolika (Bengali), 1997, Vol – 5, No. – 1, pp 4 – 23

Geography and Computers, Traverse, November Issue, 1997, Geographical Institute, Presidency College

Identification of the 2nd Order TDCN Basin Properties of Lodham Khola in Darjilling Himalayas, Indian Journal of Earth Science, 1997, Vol – 24, No. – 1 & 2, pp 47 – 54

Orientation of the 011 TICNs in Lodham Khola Basin, Eastern Himalayas, Journal of the Indian Geographical Foundation, Winter Issue, 1997, Vol – 4 & 5, pp 119 – 133

R – mode Factor Analysis of the 2nd Order TDCN Basin Properties – a case study of the Lodham Khola Basin, Eastern Himalayas, Indian Journal of Geography and Environment, 1997, Vol – 2, pp 36 – 47

Childcare, Development and Rights – an overview, ACCR Publications, 1998, Calcutta, pp 36 – 41

Urban Growth in West Bengal – a study in size dynamics of towns, in Pathak C R (ed : 1998) : Essays in Regional Science – regional development planning, Vol – II, Silver Jubilee Volume, 1998, Regional Science Association, pp 88 – 100

Management of Water Resource System in North 24 Parganas District, West Bengal, Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, 1998, Vol – 21, No. – 1, pp 149 – 161

Downstream Effects of Dams / Barrages on Channel Morphology – a study in environmental fluviology, in Chauhan S N and M K Gupta (ed: 1998) : Environment – some basic issues, 1998, Jaiashree Prakashani, Muzzafarnagar, UP

Human Resource Development – a multivariate analysis, in the Seminar Volume : Changing Pattern of Environment, March 6 – 7, 1999, B.G. College, Calcutta, pp 7 – 12

Geographical Data Analysis – concepts and issues, Traverse, September Issue, 1999, Geographical Institute, Presidency College, Calcutta, pp 10 – 15

Agami Satake Bhugol Bijnaner Pathakramer Punarbinyas – ekti prastab, Bhugolika (Bengali), August – 1999, Vol – 7, No. – 1, pp 15 – 18

Sabhyata, Samaj O Paribesh – bibartaner prasanga, in Roy R (ed : 2000) : Prateetti (Bengali), January – 2000, pp 41 – 51

Landuse Pattern – an exploratory analysis, in the Seminar Volume : Changing Pattern of Environment, February 5, 2000, B.G. College, Calcutta

Agricultural Land Resources of Hooghly District, West Bengal – a multivariate analysis, Indian Journal of Regional Science, 2000, Vol – 32, No. – 1, pp 70 – 86 (with S Das)

The 21st Century Geography in India – an appraisal, Journal of the Indian Geographical Foundation, Vol – 6 & 7, Winter : 1999 – 2000, pp 24 – 44, Calcutta

Manchitrabijnan – bikash o sadharan dharana, in Roy R (ed: 2000) : Prateeti (Bengali), October – 2000, pp 41 – 51

Fundamentals of Digital Cartography – an appraisal, Traverse, November Issue, 2000, Geographical Institute, Presidency College, Calcutta, pp 10 – 15

Particulate Pollution Scenario – an environmental analysis, ACCR Publications, 2001, Calcutta, pp 32 – 41

Save Our Earth – an ecosaga of humans, Asian Studies, Vol – 19, No. – 1, January – June Issue : 2001, pp 32 – 41

GIS and Geographers, The Observer, 2002, SGA, Calcutta University, Calcutta

Digital Image Analysis – application and Fourier filtering, Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, 2002, Vol – 25, No. – 2, pp 10 – 19

Manchitrabidyar Pracheen Itihas, Bhugolika (Bengali), BBM, 2002, Vol – 8, No. – 1 & 2, pp 3 – 7

Dynamics and Environmental Impacts of Channel Planforms – a study of Bhagirathi and Jalangi rivers, Indian Journal of Geography and Environment, 2002, Vol – 7, pp 38 – 49

Career Options in Geography, The Observer, 2003, SGA, Calcutta University, Calcutta

Present day Geography in West Bengal – craze and frustrations, Bhugolika, 2003, BBM, Calcutta

Landscape Differentials of Hooghly District – a spatial analysis, Indian Journal of Regional Science, 2003, Vol – 35, No. – 1, pp 12 – 31

Maps – an interface to geographic information, Traverse, September Issue, 2003, Geographical Institute, Presidency College, Calcutta, pp 1 – 5

Geographical Analysis – tools and techniques, Bhugolika, 2004, Vol – 10, No. – 1 & 2, pp 5 – 10

Cartographic Modelling – a new frontier in geographical research, The Observer, 2004, Vol – 47, pp 37 – 40

Environmental Impacts of Bank Erosion, in Desai M (ed: 2004) : The Dying Earth, Netaji Institute of Asian Studies, 2004, Kolkata

River Bank Erosion – geomorphology and environment, in Singh S, H S Sharma and S De (ed: 2004) : Geomorphology and Environment, Prof. S R Basu Felicitation Volume, ACB Publications, 2004, Kolkata

Maternal and Child Health Scenario – a case study of Bangur Hospital, Indian Journal of Landscape Systems and Ecological Studies, Vol – 27, No. – 1, pp 109 – 119 (with T Ghosh)

Old Age Homes of Kolkata, Autumn Annual, Vol – 33, Presidency College Alumni association, 2004 – 2005, pp 135 – 146, (with T Ghosh)

Flood Management using Satellite Remote Sensing Techniques, The Observer, 2005, Vol – 48, pp 37 – 40, SGA, Calcutta University, Calcutta

Natural Disaster and its Management – the geographical issues, in Banerjee, A , et al (ed: 2005) : Combating Disaster – perspectives in the new millennium, ACB Pub, 2005, Kolkata

Principles of Mapping and Analysis of Terrain – a modern concept, Traverse, January – 2006, Vol – 38, Geographical Institute, Presidency College, Kolkata

Drainage Analysis of the Dulung Basin, in Prof. Savindra Singh Felicitation Volume, Allahabad University, Allahabad, 2006

Books
Bhugol Prasange ( Part - IV for Class - IX ), Bengal Book Concern, Calcutta.

Bhugol Prasange ( Part - V for Class - X ), Bengal Book Concern, Calcutta.

Adhunik Bhugol ( Part - I for Class - VI ), Orient Longman, Calcutta.

Adhunik Bhugol ( Part – II for Class - VII ), Orient Longman, Calcutta.

Adhunik Bhugol ( Part -III for Class - VIII ), Orient Longman, Calcutta.

Practical Geography - a systematic approach, Orient Longman, Calcutta.

Urban System, Urban Growth and Urbanisation in the20th Century West Bengal, New Academic Publishers, New Delhi.

Quantitative Analysis in Geography, NSOU, PG Book Series, 2007

Practical Geography (Revised and Edited), Orient Longman, Kolkata