Land Use Pattern mapping using Remote Sensing and GIS in Gangtok area, Sikkim Himalaya, India Ashok Kumar Sharma, Varun Joshi Disaster Management Faculty-Sikkim G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Sikkim Unit P.O-Gangtok, Post Box-24, Sikkim-737101, India Email: aksharma76@rediffmail.com: Phone: +913592237189(O); +91974349228(M) Surya Parkash National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), (Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India) 5B, IP Estate, New Delhi-110002 A.P.Krishna Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi. Abstract This paper discovers the use of satellite images and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for developing a sampling frame stratify the sample based on the analysis of remotely sensed information. The use of GIS and Remote Sensing can be helpful for time saving and efficient land use mapping. Remote sensing provides the essential data to undertake inventory of land, as well as the temporal information required to monitor sustainable land management practices. The study has been carried out at Gangtok area, East District of Sikkim, the total area of study is 30.25 sq. km. Introduction GIS is one such tool accountable for transforming the era of spatial data management. A GIS can be measured as a tool for the integration and analysis of geographically- referenced data. Land and water resources are essential for farming, grazing, forestry, wildlife, tourism, urban development, transport infrastructure, and other environmental functions. The increasing demand for land, coupled with a limitation in its supplies, is a major cause for more conflicts over land use throughout the world. Geographical Information system is one such tool responsible for revolutionizing the era of spatial data management. A GIS can be considered as a tool for the integration and analysis of geographically- referenced data. The Remote Sensing technology along with GIS is a perfect device to identify, locate and map various types of lands associated with different landform units. Land-use planning is defined as a systematic assessment of land and water potential, alternatives for land use, and the economic and social conditions required to select and adopt the best land-use options. Land-use planning aims at achieving a balance among these goals through the use of information on trade-offs, appropriate technology, and consensus-based decision-making. Effective land-use planning often involves local communities, scientific information on land resources, appropriate technologies, and integrated evaluation of resource use. GIS approach Land use planning activities are usually started with the objectives to increase productivity and to improve the sustainability, i.e. to conserve the natural resources. There are various scientific approaches to the goal:
The land use pattern of Sikkim is strongly influenced by the elevation, climate and mountainous terrain, especially in the field of agriculture and forestry. Land is one of the major natural resources. The changes of land use/land cover pattern over a time period control the pressure on land. Levels and Process Planning can be at various levels: local, town, district, state, regional, national, and international. A two-way link between these levels is important for successful planning. A bottom-up type of planning starts at the local level and links to the next higher level with active local participation. Local acceptability of the plan is a critical element of a successful plan. A typical planning process involves the following steps:
Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim is located in the East District and lies between 27o 17’ 20" to 27o 21’ 47" N latitude and 88o 35’ 12" to 88o 39’ 40" E longitude. The topography of the study area is highly undulating with hills of 900m to 2400 meters above mean sea level of the Gangtok area. Rani Khola and Rora Chu is important drainage pattern of the area. The present covers an area of approximately 30.25 sq. km.  Figure 1: Panoramic view of study area, Gangtok, Sikkim.
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