An integrated approach for
development of hill areas using satellite and collateral data - A case
study from India A.K. Gupta, K. Ganesha Raj, PP Nageswara Rao CBS Dutt, P Balakrishnan and G. Behera National natural resources management system Indian space research organisation headquarters Bangalore, India Abstract Presently, the development of hill areas figure high in the programmes of the Government of India. This is, evidenced by the setting up of an advisory Committee of Hill Areas by the Planning Commission to deal with the various problems faced by the people of hill areas such as rugged terrain, soil erosion, deforestation, lack of water, energy, agriculture, fodder, communication and transport, in addition to the inherent disasters of land slides and floods. The committee has identified talukwise hill areas in altitude, slope, literacy, wastelands, man to land ratio, power, irrigation and infrastructural facilities. Alur and Sakleshpur taluks of Hassan district in Karnataka State are among them. Of late, remote sensing has been found very useful in inventorying. Development, management and monitoring of natural resources. Though there are considerable studies on remote sensing application in natural resources management, particularly such studies on hill area development are limited. Towards demonstrating the potential of remote sensing techniques for the developmental planning of hill areas, a case study was carried out in Alur and Sakleshpur taluks covering an area of about 1,466 sq. km. Multidate Landsat Thematic Mapper data (False Color Composite) on 1:50,000 scale were used in the study for preparation o various thematic maps viz. forest cover. Landuse, wasteland, ground water potential zone, geology & lineament etc. data from topomaps has been used for preparation of slope, drainage and watershed map and base map of the area. Information available from various government agencies on resources of the area has been used with remote sensing derived information to arrive at suggested landuse plan for development of the area. Introduction Recently a lot of emphasis has been given by the government of India for the development of Hill Area. Advisory Committee on Hill areas (Planning Commission) has stressed on various problems, faced by hill areas such as soil erosion, deforestation, water, energy, fodder, agriculture, communication, transport, rugged terrain, landslides, floods etc. the Planning Commission had identified talukwise hill areas in the country based on factors such as altitude, slope, literacy, wastelands, man to land ratio, power irrigation and infrastructure facilities. Remote sensing has been found very useful in inventorying, monitoring and management of natural resources. To demonstrate the potentials of remote sensing techniques for developmental planning of hill areas: a project area covering Alur and Sakleshpur taluks, Hassan Dist, Karnataka State has been studied, using multidate Landsat Thematic Mapper data (FCC) on 1:50,000 scale.
Using color, texture, pattern, association, size, shape & temporal behaviour; multidate TM images have been interpreted for forest, landuse, groundwater, geology, lienametn & wastelands of the area. Base map, slope map, drainage and watershed maps on 1:50,000 scale were prepared from the SOI topomaps. Slope maps was prepared based on methodology discussed in lan Galbraith (1983). Using the above methodology seven classes of slope calculated viz.,
Boundaries of these slope classes are based on work done by various authors Omakupt (1985), Wacharakitti (1985). Baharuddin (1985) etc. on observed relationship of various slope classes with different land use/land cover. Ground check spread over 4-5 days has been carried out for each theme to verify interpretations, image interpreted maps were finalized based on the ground truth and collateral data/information. The information derived from imagery were transferred to the base map and final thematic maps were prepared. Information on various resources, available from satellite data/maps and collateral information/data (from concerned agencies) were integrated and analysed to understand overall resources potential of the area. A suggested land use / land cover map of the area was prepared following land use classification scheme by NRSA, 1989. based on the above analysis scientific development plan of the area was suggested based on existing land use, water availability (Surface/ground/rain water), wastelands, land capability, slope and topography etc.
Average rainfall in Alur Taluk is about 105 cms and in Sakleshpur taluk 239 cm. Cultivation/plantation of the area is dependent mainly on rainfall as irrigation facilities are limited. Proper harvesting of rain water by constructing tanks, check dams etc. wile hl to improve the production of coffee, cardamom, rice, ragi, chillis etc. Better methods of irrigation like sprinkler and drip types will also be of much use of get better yield ground water potential of the area is moderate and the potential is not tapped fully. This is confirmed from the information supplied by Dept. os Miens & Geology (Ground water cell). Ground water can be exploited by putting more number of bore and open wells. Western Ghat region depends solely on rainwater. The region acts as the runoff zone. For ground water the fractured/narrow valleys have moderate to good ground water potential. The typical wasteland of western ghats is the ridge tops with soil cover mixed with steep slopes and sometime rocky exposures. This can be brought under afforestation to limited extent depending upon the slopes, soil cover, terrain factors etc. Dissected hillock region good rainfall. The valleys within dissected hillocks have moderate ground water potential. Ground water can be tapped through wells/borewells after necessary hydrological and geophysical surveys. Coffee and / or cardamom are the main plantations in this area (some parts of western Ghats also have coffee / cardamom). Uplands with this grass cover form the major form of wastelands in dissected hillock region. These wastelands can first be brought under tree cover then after about 10-15 yeas coffee/cardamom can be grown under the shades of the tress. Agricultural plantations can be also be tried in this area. These lands are at present used only for grazing after rains. The Karnataka State Forest Department has already reclaimed of these uplands by planning tress, such as casurina, eucalyptus, cashew etc. Rain water can e stored by constructing tanks and check dams in the valleys adjoining these uplands and using sprinkler or other methods of irrigation, the uplands could be reclaimed. In addition to surface water, ground water can also be used for the above purpose. There are some degraded pasture lands in the area that can be used fro growing pastures in addition depending upon the local requirement some wastelands can be converted in to pasture lands. Degraded non forest plantation lands can be reclaimed by growing agricultural / forest plantations. Pediplain region (mainly in Alur Taluk) is composed of updulating terrain and has moderate ground water potential. This region is mainly arable land and dryland corps are grown here. The valleys within pediplains have moderate ground water potential wit no valley fill. Some of the them are fracture controlled. The canal from Vatehole reservoir under construction in the north eastern part will bring some more area under irrigation. Uplans with or without scrub in this region may be converted into agricultural/forest plantation lands. Residual hills have good forest cover (mainly deciduous). Some parts of residual hills have degraded forest land, uplands with or without scrub and degraded non-forest plantation land. Afforestation (forest/agricultural plantations) can be tried over these wastelands. Barren rocks in the area can be used as building / construction material. The Hemavathy and number of its tributaries (including Yagachi) are fracture controlled. These valleys have to be explored further for tapping ground water. Many of these valleys including Hemavathy have good fill. These valleys are used for growing crops like rice, ragi, chilli, mulberry, potato, horse gram, pulses, vegetables etc. These crops depend mainly on rainwater. By use f rainwater harvesting structures and borewells and open wells more areas can be rboguth under cultivation / irrigation and crops can be grown in dry seasons. Crops like sugarcane and vegetables can also be grown. Evergreen forests of Western Ghats falling in sakleshpur taluk is one of the best forests in India. This forms luxuriant, evergreen, extensive - high forest, stretching north to south in a belt of 25km length and width varying from 2 to 15 km. forests in Alur Taluk are mainly deciduous type and of limited areal extent. Forests are the source for timber, sigekai, pepper, dalchini, honey, wax and other forest produce. These forests are well protected and preserved. There are three plywood, match splint industries which depends on forest for softwoods. Encouraging minor forest product in western ghats would fetch economy as well as in generating tribal employment. Wild animals like elephant, tiger, bison, panther, ear, sambar, barking deer and other wildlife are seen in the evergreen forests of Sakleshpur. It is therefore recommended that some portion of Western Ghat forest falling in Sakleshpur & nearby taluks can e declared as wildlife sanctuary to protect these animals. National Highway No. 48 connecting Bangalore and Mangalore passes through the area. Railway lien (meter gauge) connecting Hassan and Mangalore also passes across the area. Road network is good in Alur taluk but in Sakleshpur taluk improvement is needed. Output Thematic maps (on 1:50,000 scale)
Conclusions
Authors are thankful to Mr. YS Rajan, Former Director, EOS and Scientific Secretary, ISRO for his permission to carry out the study. Authors are also thankful to all the NNRMS colleagues for their keen interest in the study and their timely suggestions/comments. Thanks are also due to Ms M Sameena for cartographic assistance to Ms suniya and Ms S Vanaja for secretarial help. Finally the encouragement provided by Dr. B Manikiam, Manager, US&U and his keen interest in the study is deeply appreciated. References
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