Geography Department

The Department of Geography strives to develop a questioning mind, make learning a pleasure, and prepare the students for global placement. Over the last 60 years, the department has nurtured young geographers, directing students to higher academics and professional courses.

The curriculum involves writing research papers, conducting seminars, tutorials, fieldwork, practicals and map-making methods. Courses offered by the Geography Department include the Four-Year B.A. /B.Sc. (Honours with or without Research) Degree Course and Three-Year B.A. / B.SC. Multidisciplinary Course, Under CCF 2022, affiliated to the University of Calcutta.

Both theoretical knowledge and practical skills are imparted through use of modern ICT, supplemented by field excursions to geographically significant locations. Courses on Geographical Information System (QGIS), Python and Artificial Intelligence are offered which enhance employability skills. Our students participate regularly in International, National Seminars and Workshops which develop their self-confidence and soft skills, thereby increasing their placement chances and market value.

The Department regularly organizes programmes on Career counselling, skill development, Research Methodology, Disaster Management and contemporary issues like climate change and sustainability.

These programmes have a positive impact on our student progression, many of whom qualify to pursue masters at top educational institutes of India and abroad such as IIM, BITS, TISS, JNU, IIT, IIPS, IISWBM, UCLA, Syracuse and the London School of Economics. Our alumni are absorbed as faculty members in reputed institutes and organizations.

Department: Faculty

Dr. Sushma Sahai

Qualifications: M.A., Ph.D.

With over 24 years of rich teaching experience, Dr. Sushma Sahai is a Graduate in Geography from Loreto College , Kolkata and went on to complete her Masters in Geography from Delhi School of Economics, New Delhi. She was one of the few sponsored candidates selected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India to pursue a Diploma in Environment Education from the reputed Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Nehru Foundation for Development, Ahmedabad.

Dr. Sahai completed her Doctorate in the field of Medical Geography from the University of Calcutta, and is also the author of the book ‘Bio-Medical Waste Management’. She has published several research papers in issues related to hospital waste management, human development and watershed management in various international and national journals. She is a reviewer of international journals published by Elsevier. Dr. Sahai has completed a project in collaboration with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) on the ecological security of the inhabitants of Dankuni area of West Bengal titled ‘Voice of the Victims’. In 2002 her book titled ‘Emerging Issues in Biomedical Waste Management in India’ was published by the Centre for Urban Economic Studies, Department of Economics, University of Calcutta.

She has presented papers at various prestigious seminars and had the privilege of presenting a paper on Disease Epidemiology at the Royal Geographical Society-Institute of British Geographers, London, U.K. and at the Global Public Health Conference, Colombo, organised by the Umea University, Sweden and International Centre for Research and Development, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Ms. Alpana Goswami

Qualifications: M.A.

Alpana Goswami has been with the department since 1988. She is involved with all the survey practicals, GIS, and other practicals of the Honours and General graduation syllabus of University of Calcutta. She is in charge of the laboratory of the Department and has specialised in GIS. She takes the Special Certificate Course of GIS.

Mrs. Sharmila Ray Kumam

Qualifications: M.Sc.,B.Ed.,M.Phil.

She has received the Taylor & Francis Award from the Royal Geographical Society, U. K. and the Institute of British Geographers in 2011 for ’Excellence in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education in Geography’.She is a Feloow of the 21st Century Trust, London since 1995.
She completed B.Sc. in Geography Hons. from Loreto College, Kolkata; M.Sc in Geography from University of Calcutta & M. Phil in Population Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.Her dissertation was on International Migration in India.
She successfully conducted a U. G. C. sponsored Minor Research Project on Ethnicity in Manipur from 2014 - 16.
She is an Associate Professor and has been with the Geography Department since 1989 She has served as the Head of the Geography Department from 2007- 2012. She has supervised many field studies, dissertations, projects and term papers at the undergraduate level. She was a resource person for teaching of Geography for school teachers on several occasions.
She served as Hony. Secretary, Loreto College Alumnae Association thrice, the latest from 2017 - 18.

Mrs. Sabiha Sethwala

Qualifications: M.Sc., B.Ed.

She has completed her B.Sc (Geography) in 1987 from Loreto College, University of Calcutta, M.Sc (Geography) in 1989 from University of Calcutta, B.Ed in 1990 from University of Calcutta
Her teaching experience at Dept of Geography, Loreto College is from 1990 to present. Served as Head of Department from 2012 to 2017. Staff advisor for Games Society from 2005 to 2017 Staff advisor for W.E Nature Society from 2022 to present. Member of the Governing Body from 2008 to 2011. Officer in Charge for the Calcutta University Examinations in 2004 and 2024. Served as IQAC Coordinator from 2012 to 2015.Elected Member of the PF Trust Board of the college from 2010 to present. As Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Loreto College Alumnae Association.
Her area of interest is in Urban Geography, Social and Welfare Geography and Geomorphology
Her area of specialisation is Cartography, Manufacturing geography
She held Administrative Posts as Head of Departmentof Geography (2012-2017),IQAC co-ordinator 2012-15, Hony Secy of Loreto College Alumnae Asst(2013) Staff Advisor for Games Society ( 1999 -2015)
Her Research Experience has been as one who has Supervised Term papers and Projects at Underegraduate level. As a co-guide for Internship projects at Undergraduate level
Her Academic Experience includes Voluntary teaching service in Women’s Cell, Loreto College (1997-2005), as resource person for CBCS workshop (2018), Co-ordinator for National Seminar (2013) She has completed A Study of Cultural landscape of Bankura, Puruliya with present students (field visit)

Dr. Kaustuva Banerjee

Qualifications: M.Sc , PG Diploma in RSGIS, B.Ed., M.Ed.,Ph.D.

Kaustuva Banerjee completed her graduation and post-graduation from Presidency (College) University. She has a post graduate diploma in Remote Sensing and GIS from Jadavpur University. She was awarded UGC, NET (Junior Research Fellowship) in Geography in the year 2008. She has completed her Master’s in Education (M.Ed) from University of Calcutta and has also cleared UGC NET in Education. Currently she is pursuing her Ph.D in Education at University of Calcutta. Her areas of interest are cartography and remote sensing, social issues, rural health and education. She has presented papers in various state, national and international seminars.

Dr. Debasree Sinha

Qualifications: M.Sc., Ph.D

Debasree Sinha joined the faculty of Loreto College in 2012. She graduated from Loreto College with B.Sc. in Geography and went on to pursue M.Sc in Geography at Pune University. She cleared the Joint CSIR-UGC Test for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Eligibility for Lectureship (NET) in 2009. During 2011-2016 she undertook research in the field of soil loss studies and was awarded Ph.D in 2016 from Pune University. Debasree specializes in Geomorphology and her areas of interest include Fluvial, Tropical and Applied Geomorphology, Soil Geography, Climatology, Disaster Management and Environment.