ID: 54832
Title: Geospatial Modelling for Identification of Potential Ecological Corridors in Orissa
Author: A. Roy ? B.S.S. Devi ? B. Debnath ? M.S.R. Murthy
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Geospatial modelling ? Cost surface ? Least cost path ? GIS ? Landscape ecology ? Ecological corridors
Abstract: Development of forest connectivity and
corridors are critical for biodiversity conservation
and also ensures energy and genetic exchange
across greater spatial extent. A model has been
developed to geospatially identify the potential
ecological corridors based on the vegetation type
and land cover data in association with spatial
disturbance profile. The model formulates the route
of least impedance due to (1) disturbance (a function
of fragmentation, juxtaposition, Interspersion &
proximity to roads/settlements) and (2) vegetation
type and land cover. This is because the movement
of genetic information and materials follow the path
of least resistance across a landscape. The paper
explores the utility of the approach to spatially
generate ecological corridors connecting 14
protected areas of Orissa. The model has been able
to identify the potential route connecting the
different protected regions with 85-87% of the
corridor in the natural areas. Of the 14 protected
areas, only 12 could be connected by the model as
they confirm to the criteria for the corridor
establishment.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54831
Title: Application of Landscape Ecology and Remote Sensing for Assessment, Monitoring and Conservation of Biodiversity
Author: J.S. Singh ? P.S. Roy ? M.S.R. Murthy ? C.S. Jha
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 3, September 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Landscape ? Remote Sensing ? Geospatial ? Disturbance ? Conservation ? Climate change
Abstract: Landscape ecology, inter alia, addresses
the question as to how altered landscape patterns
affect the distribution, persistence, and abundance
of a species. Landscape ecology plays an important
role in integrating the different scales of biodiversity
from habitat patch to biome level. Satellite remote
sensing technology with multi-sensor capabilities
offers multi-scale information on landscape
composition and configuration. Advances in
geospatial analytical tools and spatial statistics have
improved the capability to quantify spatial
heterogeneity. Globally, landscape level
characterization of biodiversity has become an
important discipline of science. Considering the vast
extent, heterogeneity, and ecological and economic
importance of forest landscapes, significant efforts
have been made in India during the past decade to
strengthen landscape level biodiversity
characterization. The generic frame work of studies
comprises preparation of national databases
providing information on composition and
configuration of different landscapes using multiscale
remote sensing techniques, understanding the
landscape patterns using geospatial models to elicit
disturbance and diversity patterns and application
of this information for bioprospecting and
conservation purposes. Studies on hierarchical
linkage of multi-scale information to study the
processes of change, landscape function, dynamics
of habitat fragmentation, invasion, development of
network of conservation areas based on the
understanding of multi-species responses to
landscape mosaics, macro-ecological studies to
understand environment and species richness,
habitat and species transitions and losses, landscape
level solutions to adaptation and mitigation
strategies to climate change are a few of the future
challenges. The paper presents the current
experiences and, analyses in conjunction with
international scenario and identifies future challenges
of Indian landscape level biodiversity studies.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54830
Title: Variability Analysis of Groundwater Levels ? A GIS-Based Case Study
Author: S.K. Goyal . B.S. Chaudhary . O. Singh . G. K. Sethi . P.K. Thakur
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 2, June 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Groundwater . GIS . Depletion . Rainfall . Irrigation . Spatial distribution
Abstract: The present study has analyzed the
variability in depth to water level below ground level
(bgl) vis-?-vis groundwater development and rainfall
from 1987 to 2007 in agriculture dominated Kaithal
district of Haryana state in India. Spatial distribution
of groundwater depth was mapped and classified into
different zones using ILWIS 3.6 GIS tools. Change
detection maps were prepared for 1987-1997 and 1997-
2007. Groundwater depletion rates during successive decades were compared and critical areas with
substantial fall in groundwater levels were identified.
Further, block wise trends of change in groundwater
levels were also analyzed. The water table in fresh
belt areas of the district (Gulha, Pundri and Kaithal
blocks) was observed to decline by a magnitude
ranging from 10 m to 23 m. In Kalayat and Rajaund
blocks, the levels were found fluctuating in a relatively
narrow range of 4-9 m. During 1997-2007, the depletion
has been faster compared to the preceding decade.
Excessive groundwater depletion in major part of the
district may be attributed to indiscriminate abstraction
for irrigation and decrease in rainfall experienced since
1998. Changes in cropping pattern and irrigation
methods are needed in the study area for sustainable
management of the resource.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54829
Title: Integrated Remote Sensing and GIS Study for Hydrogeomorphological Zones in Khallikote Block, Ganjam District, Orissa
Author: C. Mohanty . S.C. Behera
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 2, June 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: GIS . Hydrogeolgy . SMCE . Ground water potential
Abstract: The present study attempts to delineate
different groundwater potential units using remote
sensing and geographic information system (GIS) in
Khallikote block of Ganjam disrict, Orissa. Thematic
maps of geology, geomorphology, land use and land
cover, drainage density, lineament density, slope and
DEM (digital elevation model) were prepared using
the Landsat Thematic Mapper data in 3 spectral bands,
band 7 (mid-infrared light), band 4 (near-infrared light),
Band 2 (visible green light). Relationship of each layer
to the groundwater regime has been evaluated through detailed analysis of the individual
hydrological parameters. The SMCE (Spatial Multi-
Criteria Evaluation) module in ILWIS (Integrated Land
and Water Information System) supports the
decision-making process for evaluating the ground
water potential zones in the area. The study shows
that more than 70% of the block is covered by medium
to excellent category having good ground water
potential.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54828
Title: Groundwater Prospects Evaluation-based on Hydrogeomorphological Mapping: A case study in Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu
Author: M. A. Dar . K. Sankar . I. A. Dar
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 2, June 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Remote sensing . GIS . Drainage basin . Morphometry . Tectonics
Abstract: Water is the most important natural
resource which forms the core of the ecological
system. The advent of remote sensing has opened
up new vistas in groundwater prospect evaluation,
exploration and management. The role of
hydrogeomorphological units in tile storage of
groundwater from the Kancheepuram distict has been
investigated using IRS P6 LISS-III data. The
Kancheepuram district exhibits diverse hydrogeomorphological
conditions where the groundwater regime is controlled mainly by topography and
geology. The extent of various water prospectus
zones in terms of percentage includes, maximum area,
particularly the north-western, and central part which
is characterized by good potential occupying about
43% of total area. The moderate potential is marked
by only 35%, and is scattered along the northern and
southern side of the study area, the remaining 12% is
of poor prospectus, which is falling in the coastal
region of the study area.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54827
Title: Study of Irrigation and Crop Water Requirements and Growth of two Rabi Crops Grown in a Semi Arid Region using Agrometeorology and Remote Sensing
Author: S. Raut . K.S.S. Sarma . D.K. Das
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 2, June 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Irrigaton water requirement . MXL classification . Effective rainfall
Abstract: Irrigation water requirements of wheat and
mustard crops grown in Western Yamuna Canal
Command area were estimated using FAO model
CROPWAT with the help of agrometeorological and
remote sensing data (1986-1998 and 2008). The
variations in irrigation water requirements of these
two crops were judged by calculating coefficient of
Variations (CVs ) of yearly data. Crop coefficient values
were obtained through FAO (1993) method. Supervised Maximum Likelihood Classification (MXL)
of IRS 1B image was done to estimate area under
wheat and mustard in the canal command. Water need
was calculated from amount of supply and water
requirement for the whole area. Results showed that
ETcrop values of both wheat and mustard varied very
little over different years (CVs 4.7% and 5.6%
respectively). Irrigation water requirements of both
these crops were having relatively large variations
(CVs 14.1% and 22.6% respectively) which were mainly
because of high variations of their effective rainfall
(CVs 61.1% and 69.2% respectively). In general,
increase in amount of irrigation enhanced the growth
performance of the wheat crop. Increase in distribution
equity within soil associations slightly improved the
growth performance of the wheat crop. Agro-climatic
data merged with satellite image approximated the
deficiency of applied irrigation amount (549.5 ha-m
for wheat and 692.7 ha-m for mustard) as compared to
requirement.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54826
Title: Landslide Susceptibility mapping of a catchment area using frequency ratio, fuzzy logic and multivariate logistic regression approaches
Author: B. Pradhan
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 2, June 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Landslides . Susceptibility . Fuzzy logic . Frequency ratio . Multivariate logistic regression . GIS. Remote sensing . Malaysia
Abstract: Geospatial database creation for landslide
susceptibility mapping is often an almost inhibitive
activity. This has been the reason that for quite some
time landslide susceptibility analysis was modelled
on the basis of spatially related factors. This paper
presents the use of frequency ratio, fuzzy logic and
multivariate regression models for landslide
susceptibility mapping on Cameron catchment area,
Malaysia, using a Geographic Information System
(GIS) and remote sensing data. Landslide locations
were identified in the study area from the interpretation
of aerial photographs, high resolution satellite images,
inventory reports and field surveys. Topographical,
geological data and satellite images were collected,
processed, and constructed into a spatial database
using GIS and image processing tools. There were
nine factors considered for landslide susceptibility
mapping and the frequency ratio coefficient for each
factor was computed. The factors chosen that
influence landslide occurrence were: topographic
slope, topographic aspect, topographic curvature and
distance from drainage, all from the topographic
database; lithology and distance from lineament,
taken from the geologic database; land cover from
TM satellite image; the vegetation index value from
Landsat satellite images; and precipitation
distribution from meteorological data. Using these
factors the fuzzy membership values were calculated.
Then fuzzy operators were applied to the fuzzy
membership values for landslide susceptibility
mapping. Further, multivariate logistic regression
model was applied for the landslide susceptibility.
Finally, the results of the analyses were verified using
the landslide location data and compared with the
frequency ratio, fuzzy logic and multivariate logistic
regression models. The validation results showed that
the frequency ratio model (accuracy is 89%) is better
in prediction than fuzzy logic (accuracy is 84%) and
logistic regression (accuracy is 85%) models. Results
show that, among the fuzzy operators, in the case
with ?gamma? operator (? = 0.9) showed the best
accuracy (84%) while the case with ?or? operator
showed the worst accuracy (69%).
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54825
Title: Monitoring Growth of Built-up areas in Indo-Gangetic Plain using Multi-sensor Remote Sensing Data
Author: P. K. Roy Chowdhury . S. Maithani
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 2, June 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Human Settlement Index . OLS . Urban growth . NDVI . Indo-Gangetic plain
Abstract: This paper provides an approach for rapid
and accurate estimation of built-up areas on a per
pixel-basis using a integration of two coarse spatial
resolution remote sensing data namely DMSP-OLS
and MODIS NDVI. The DMSP-OLS data due to its
free availability, high temporal resolution and wide
swath was used for regional level mapping of builtup
areas. However, due to its low radiometricresolution, the built-up areas cannot be estimated
accurately from the DMSP-OLS data. In present study,
the DMSP-OLS data was combined with MODIS NDVI
data to develop an Human Settlement Index (HSI)
image, which estimated the fraction of built-up area
on a per pixel basis. The resultant HSI image conveys
more information than both the individual datasets.
These temporal HSI images were then used for
monitoring urban growth in Indo-Gangetic plains
during the 2001-2007 time period. Thus, the present
research can be very useful for regional level
monitoring of built-up areas from coarse resolution
data within limited time and minimal cost.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54824
Title: Remote Sensing and GIS in Identification of Soil Constraints for Sustainable Development in Bhilwara District, Rajasthan
Author: N.K. Kalra . L. Singh . R. Kachhwah . D.C. Joshi
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 2, June 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Soil Constraints . IRS LISS III Remote sensing . GIS . Sustainable development
Abstract: Soil is an integral part of ecosystem nurturing
the biological system. Sustainable management of soil
resources based on the consideration of constraints
is the key to check land degradation and maintain
productivity of biological system. To meet the
objective remote sensing and GIS technology has
been employed for identification of soil constraints
in resource potential Bhilwara district. IRS LISS-III
FCC images were interpreted for soil constraints using
physiography soil approach, verified through field
checking and laboratory analysis. On IRS LISS-III
FCC images the salt affected soils of Kotri and
Taswaria appeared in bright white to light grey tone,
smooth texture with white mottles. These were also
verified during ground truth and soil analysis for
salinity (EC 2.90-3.32 dS m-1) and sodicity (pH 9.50-
9.86 and ESP 17.60 -19.05). Similarly on the LISS III
FCC, constraints due to water erosion near Bir, Sareri
and Vijaypura soil series were apparent in light grey
to whitish tone, intercepted by medium grey streaks
indicating streams and exposed sub-soil. The
constraints due to shallow depth associated with rock
out crops and hilly areas of Balda and Delwara series
appeared in greenish grey tone and coarse texture.
There was close relationship between image
characteristics, field observation and analytical data.
The study revealed that out of total geographical
area of the district, 17 per cent area has constraints
due to salinity/sodicity and physical properties, which
need efforts to overcome through amelioration and
management to realize high crop yields. About 48 percent area have constraints due to uneven terrain,
shallow soils mixed with gravels, low AWC, low
nutrient retention, moderate-to severe erosion which
are difficult to overcome and these areas should be
put under silvi-pasture management. Remaining 31
per cent area has no soil constraint, the soils have
high potential, and with intensive irrigation and
nutrient management high crop yield can be realized.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54823
Title: Sustainability Assessment of Sodic Land Reclamation using Remote sensing and GIS
Author: M.S. Yadav . P.P.S. Yadav . M. Yaduvanshi . D. Verma . A.N. Singh
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 2, June 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Remote sensing . GIS . Sustainability assessment . Sodicland reclamation . Tectonics
Abstract: Sodicland reclamation in the Indo-Gangetic
plains is being done on a large scale in the states of
Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana in India. However,
in certain areas, the reclamation has been reported to
be unsustainable and the soils are reverting back to
sodicity condition. A study was conducted in one of
the reclamation sites of Etawah district for
sustainability assessment of sodic land reclamation
using remote sensing, Geographic Information system
(GIS) and ancillary ground information. Multitemporal
satellite data were used for delineation of
reclaimed sodiclands and reverted sodic land. Field
survey was conducted to find out the various
causative factors. Groundwater level information and
detailed field survey data were analysed in GIS
environment. Results showed that in the reclamation
site covering 3,905 ha. in 57 villages of the district,
about 27 per cent of reclaimed lands were reverted to
sodicity. High water table condition, improper
drainage, nearness to canal (within 500 m), and hard
pan in the sub-soil were found to be the reasons for
unsustainability of reclamation.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54822
Title: An Integrated Study of Geospatial Information Technologies for Surface Runoff Estimation in an Agricultural Watershed, India
Author: K.N. Rao . K. Narendra . P. S. Latha
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 2, June 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Rainfall-Runoff . Watershed . Curve Number . Hydrologic Soil Groups . Remote Sensing .Geographic Information System
Abstract: Runoff is one of the important hydrologic
variables used in most of the water resources
applications. The Soil Conservation Service-Curve
Number (SCS-CN) method is adopted for the
estimation of surface runoff in the Mehadrigedda
watershed area, Visakhapatnam district, India using
multispectral remote sensing data, curve number
approach and normal rainfall data. The main
source of water in the Mehadrigedda watershed
area is by rain, most of it drains off and only a
little percolates into ground. The weighted curve
number is determined based on antecedent
moisture condition (AMC)-II with an integration
of hydrologic soil groups (HSGs) and land use/
land cover LULC categories. An integrated
approach is applied to delineate the land use/land
cover information as adopted from NRSA
classification. The recording of daily rainfall data
during the years 1997-2006 is collected from Indian
Meteorological Department (IMD) rainguage
center at Kottavalasa. It is observed that the
annual rainfall-runoff relationship during 1997-
2006, which is indicating that the overall increase
in runoff with the rainfall of the watershed area.
Integration of remote sensing (RS) and
geographical infomation system (GIS) techniques
provide reliable, accurate and up-to-date
information on land and water resources.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54821
Title: Assessing the Carbon Sequestration Potential of Subtropical Pine Forest in North-western Himalayas - A GIS Approach
Author: D.P. Sharma . M. Singh
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 2, June 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Altitude . Land use . DEM . Increment . CAI . Area available for planting . Area suitable for planting
Abstract: The present investigation was carried out
to determine carbon sequestration potential of Solan
Forest Division of Himachal Pradesh during 2006-2007.
There are six land uses viz., Chir pine, Ban oak, Deodar,
Other broadleaves, Culturable and Un-culturable,
which are distributed in 538 compartments along
altitudinal gradient from 900 to 2,100m. The study
reveals that among various land uses, the Other
broadleaved species will result in maximum expected
carbon (19.88 Mt) which will be 28.81, 23.95, and 3.07
times higher than standing carbon in Ban oak, Deodar
and Chir pine, respectively. The Solan Forest Division
on the whole, has potential to sequester 17 times more
carbon over standing carbon of 1.67 Mt, if forest
species are extended to their corresponding altitudinal
limits in the ?land area available for planting? i.e., Uncultrable
land area in the forest division however, to
have an accurate estimate of the carbon sequestration
potential of the area, other attributes that decides the
establishment of plantation of different species such
as slope, aspect, soil, climate, etc. need to be taken
into consideration beside altitude.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54820
Title: ALCM : Automatic Land Cover Mapping
Author: A. Kumar . S.K. Ghosh . V. K. Dadhwal
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 2, June 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: Fuzzy c-means (FCM) . Possibilistic c-means (PCM) . Fuzzy error matrix (FERM)
Abstract: It may be quite important for resource
management people to extract single land cover class,
at sub-pixel level from multi-spectral remote sensing
images of different areas in single step processing. It
has been observed, that neural network can be trained
to extract single land cover class from multi-spectral
remote sensing images, but they have problems in
setting various parameters and slow during training
stage. This paper present single land cover class water,
extraction from mixed pixels present in multiple multispectral
remote sensing data sets of same bands of
AWiFS sensor of Resoursesat-1 (IRS-P6) satellite from
different areas. In this work fuzzy logic-based algorithm,
which is independent of statistical distribution
assumption of data, has been studied at sub-pixel level
to handle mixed pixels. It has been found; possibilistic
c-means (PCM) algorithm takes the possibilistic view,
that the membership of a feature vector in a class has
nothing to do with its membership in other classes.
Due to this, it was observed that PCM can extract only
one class, from remote sensing multi-spectral data and
it has produced 93.7% and 97.1% overall sub-pixel
classification accuracy for two different data sets of
different places using LISS-III (IRS-P6) reference data
of same dates as of AWiFS data.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54819
Title: Evaluation of Morphometric Parameters Derived from ASTER and SRTM DEM ? A study on Bandihole Sub-watershed Basin in Karnataka
Author: S.A. Ahmed . K.N. Chandrashekarappa . S.K. Raj . V. Nischitha . G . Kavitha
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 2, June 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: ASTER . SRTM . DEM . Hulgi watershed . Bandihole . Karnataka
Abstract: Morphometric parameters derived from
three different sources viz., Survey of India
topographic map (1:50,000), SRTM (Shuttle Radar
Topographic Mission 90 m) and DEM derived from
ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission
and Reflection Radiometer - 30 m) are evaluated to
examine any difference within the results for the
proper planning and management of the watersheds.
Extracting drainage network from DEMs is mainlybased on the flow of water from higher to lower
elevation and steepest descent in a pixel. Common
morphometric parameters are considered for analysis.
The results show that the morphometric parameters
derived from the SRTM and ASTER data provide good
and satisfying results. The results will be more
efficient when the DEM cell size is smaller or the
resolution of the image is higher.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54818
Title: Geostatistical and Visualization Analysis of Crop Suitability for Diversification in Sub?mountain Area of Punjab, North-West India
Author: R. Kumar . P.K. Mehra . B. Singh . H.S. Jassal . B.D. Sharma
Editor: Prof. B. L. Deekshatulu
Year: 2010
Publisher: Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol 38, No 2, June 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Society of Remote Sensing
Keywords: GIS . Geostatistics . Crop suitability . Diversification
Abstract: This study presents a Geographic Information
System (GIS)-based geostatistical and visualization
analysis of crop suitability in two blocks of submountain
area of Punjab under diversification
programme. It combines the limitation approach of land
capability classification, productivity potential
evaluation procedure and crop suitability evaluation
framework of FAO. Two blocks from the sub mountain
Siwalik region of Punjab viz., Mahalpur and
Garhshankar were selected. This study evaluates thecapabilities of the study area for traditional crops like
wheat, paddy and maize, and recently introduced
crops like sugarcane, sunflower, pea, rapeseedmustard,
potatoes and kinnow for agricultural
diversification. The suitability of the crops has been
worked out at the village level. About 35-40 per cent
of total area mostly in Siwallik hills is not fit for growing
any type of crop. Sandy texture, uneven topography,
moderately steep slopes and excessive drainage are
responsible for unsuitability of this area. The GIS
based suitability analysis for traditional crops as well
as for new crops, under diversification of agriculture
has been undertaken. The geostatistical analysis
points towards suitability of relatively large areas for
new crops like sunflower, potato, pea (green) and
sugarcane. Forty three and 14 per cent of total area
has been found highly suitable and suitable
respectively for growing green pea - a cash crop.
Thirty three per cent of total area is suitable for growing
kinnow fruit. The success of diversification programme
is subject to logical government policy in terms ofproviding cold storage, food processing facility and
marketing infrastructure.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None