Land degradation mapping in the upper catchment of river Tons |
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Authors: | Gopal Krishan S P S Kushwaha A Velmurugan |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Environmental Sciences, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Post Box 67, Srinagar-Garhwal, Uttarakhand, 246174, India |
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Abstract: | A study on land degradation in the upper catchment of river Tons, a tributary of Yamuna river, in Uttarkashi district of the
Uttarakhand state, was carried out using on-screen visual interpretation of IRS LISS-III + PAN merged data. The study area,
which is largely mountainous, includes Govind Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. Vegetation cover, slope and erosion status
were used as criteria for the delineation of four major land degradation categories viz., undegraded, moderately degraded, degraded and severely degraded. More than 50 per cent of the study area is reported to be covered with snow and grassland. The moderate to severely degraded
area worked out to be 42.4 per cent of the total area. The 32.8 per cent of area was found to be moderately degraded, followed by degraded (6.63%) and severely degraded (2.88%) areas. The depletion of vegetation cover on mountainous terrain and subsequent cultivation without proper protection
measures is the reason for severe soil erosion and land degradation. In view of the existing land degradation situation, the
catchment requires immediate treatment on priority for the sustenance of agriculture and wild life. It is expected that these
measures will reduce the silt load in the river Tons and eventually, in river Yamuna. |
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