THE TALKAD SAND DUNES IN MYSORE DISTRICT OF KARNATAKA - THEIR DESCRIPTION, EVOLUTION AND ORIGIN

Situated along the left bank of the river Cauvery, Talakad represents a typical riverine sand dune. The point bar deposit along the left ban k of the Cauvery is the main source of the sand. However, this stretch , in the upstream has a weir built some 400 years ago which diverted w ater from the Cauvery into the Madhavamantri canal, which resulted in the lowering of the level of water in the point bar deposit downstream thereby exposing its sand to monsoonic winds blowing from SW to NE to wards Old Talkad. The settlements and also the NW to SE blowing cross wind in the valley acted as barriers for the sand laden monsoonic wind s with the consequent development of sand dunes which on gradual migra tion buried temples and many old settlements.