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.
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Description of the study area
Alur and Sakleshpur taluks of Hassan district in Karnataka state has been chosen for the study and is bounded by latitudes N 12040' to 1305' and Longitudes E 75032' to E 7604' covering an area of 1,466 sq. km. The
major part of the study area is hilly and western part of Sakleshpur forms a part of Western Ghats. Dissected Hillocks and valleys form rest of the area. Majority of Alur area is undulating terrain and a considerable part comprising of dissected/residual hillocks and pediplains.
Thick evergreen forests are the major landuse features on Western Ghats with some wasteland patches on ridge with soil cover or barren rocky and steep slope. Coffee and cardamom are the major plantations grown in some parts of western ghats and major parts of dissected hillocks. Major valleys within western ghat zone are very narrow and are normally followed by streams. However, valleys in Dissected Hillock zone are wide. The main land use in these valleys is dominated by agricultural lands. Crops like paddy, ragi, horsegram are the main crops. Most of the time coffee and cardamom plantations dominate over dissected hillocks. Still a considerable part of these hillocks forms a waste land (undulating uplands).
The Alur taluk predominantly is comprised of uplands (wastelands) and unirrigated croplands. In some parts of Alur adjoining Sakleshpur coffee/cardamom is also grown. Wooded areas are seen over residual hillocks and other areas.
Hemavati and Yagachi are the two important rivers (tributaries of River Cauvery) draining towards east, Kemphole is the other important river draining to West.
The population in Sakleshpur consists of plantation labourers and farmers and in Alur Mainly farmers and agricultural labourers.
Major problems facing the area re under development of ground water resources, lack of irrigation facilities/infrastructure, insufficient rail-road network, soil water problems and non availability of fodder etc.
