Man and Riverine Interactions: A Comprehensive Review with Special Reference to the Jamuna Watershed of Assam, India

Abstract

Rivers are the base of human civilizations from ancient times to present; for the growth and prosperity of the livings rivers works as a lifeline; rivers shape patterns of settlement, agriculture, cultural identity and spirituality of various communities over time. The interaction between man and rivers shows a complex socio-hydrological relationship characterized by continuous adaptation and change. Globally, this interrelation has been conceptualized through well known frameworks like socio-hydrology, hydro-social etc concepts given by various researchers, which emphasize the coupled evolution of human and water systems. In the regions like Assam or the whole Indian subcontinent, rivers have historically acted as physical and cultural backbones of the people; it helps in sustaining a huge density of populations of towns and cities situated in the river banks (Jafari, 2024). In Assam, the Jamuna Watershed presents a small part of these processes, where indigenous and agrarian communities continuously adapt to hydrological fluctuations and environmental changes. This paper reviews global, national and regional works to synthesize the theoretical understandings of man and riverine interactions, with special attention to the socio-hydrological perspectives.