A geospatial analysis of Samudra Tapu and Gepang Gath glacial lakes in the Chandra Basin,Western Himalaya

Geospatial studies carried out in two major proglacial lakes of Samudra Tapu and Gepang Gath (Chandra Basin, Western Himalaya) showed substantial expansion in their area and volume over the last four decades (1971–2014). The linear and areal expansions for the lakes Samudra Tapu and Gepang Gath were 1889, 1509 m and 1, 0.6 km², respectively. The results show that increased melting of the feeder glaciers over this period is major contributor to expand the volumes approximately 20 times of both the lakes Samudra Tapu and Gepang Gath. This expansion of lakes volume of Samudra Tapu and Gepang Gath from 3.4 × 10⁶ to 67.7 × 10⁶ and 1.5 × 10⁶ to 27.5 × 10⁶ m³, respectively, is quite significance in terms of hazards generated from glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF). This kind of climate change induced increase in the rate of glacial melting is a cause of concern, as the Himalaya Mountains may turn out to be vulnerable to natural hazards like GLOF.     

Total solar eclipse of July 22, 2009: Its impact on the total electron content and ionospheric electron density in the Indian zone

The longest total solar eclipse during the 21st century occurred in South and East Asia on July 22, 2009. Ionospheric response to this rare total solar eclipse which was observed right from the time of sunrise in the Indian zone, has been studied in terms of the total electron content (TEC) obtained from three global positioning system (GPS) receivers located at Udaipur, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, and electron density obtained using space based GPS-Radio Occultation technique. The study reveals significant reductions in the electron density and TEC that persisted up to 2 h past the last contact even during early morning eclipse. These observations imply that during the early morning eclipse, the production and loss of ionization dominate over the plasma transport processes.     

Attenuation characteristics of Garwhal–Kumaun Himalayas from analysis of coda of local earthquakes

Coda of local earthquakes that occurred during 2006–2007 are used to study the attenuation characteristics of the Garhwal–Kumaun Himalayas. The coda attenuation characteristics are represented in terms of coda Q or Q _c . It is observed that Q _c increases with frequency. Q _c also varies with increase in lapse time of coda waves. Q _c increases up to an 85-s average lapse time. This is similar to observations around the world reported by many workers who have interpreted this as a manifestation of the fact that heterogeneity decreases with depth. However, around a 90-s average lapse time Q _c is lower than its values for lower and higher average lapse times. This is interpreted as an indication of possible presence of a fluid-filled medium or a medium having partial melts at around a 160-km depth. Q ₀, i.e., Q _c at 1 Hz, increases, and frequency parameter n decreases with increasing lapse time, barring around a 90-s lapse time. This again shows that in general, heterogeneity decreases with increasing depth. The Q ₀ and n values for smaller lapse times are similar to those for tectonically active areas. By comparing Q _c values obtained in this study with those obtained by us using the 1999 Chamoli earthquake aftershocks, it is concluded that the crust is turbid and the mantle is more transparent. However, whether the variation in Q _c values between 1999 and 2006–2007 is temporal or not cannot be definitely established from the available data set.     

Soft-sediment deformation structures in the Late Quaternary sediments of Ladakh: Evidence for multiple phases of seismic tremors in the North western Himalayan Region

The exposed Quaternary sections of Ladakh show evidence of seismicity during the late Quaternary. Multiple levels of soft-sediment deformation structures (seismites) are recorded from the Quaternary sediments of the Spituk-Leh, along Indus Suture Zone (ISZ) and the Khalsar palaeolakes, along Shyok Suture Zone (SSZ) and Karakoraum Fault (KF). The studied sections are a part of two major tectonically formed palaeolakes at 35,000 yr BP. Nine levels of seismites from Spituk-Leh and eight levels from Khalsar sections are recorded. The deformed sediments comprise of clay, silts and sand and are restricted to a single stratigraphic layers bounded by undeformed beds suggesting synsedimentary deformation. The various deformational structures identified are simple and complex convolutes, pinch and swell bedding, microfolds and microfaults, flame-like structures, pseudonodules, clay diapirs, ball and pillow structures, pillar structures, sedimentary dykes and mud lenses. The release of stress along the ISZ, SSZ and KF, may have been responsible for inducing seismicity in the area during the late Quaternary times which may have caused liquefaction as a direct consequence of permanent deformation of ground surface due to earthquakes of large magnitudes (>5 intensity). The chronological data suggests release of stresses along ISZ, SSZ and KF in the form of earthquakes between 35,000 yr BP to approximately the Last Glacial Maxima (LGM) as evident form the available chronology.     

How green was my valley: forest canopy density in relation to topography and anthropogenic effects in Manipur valley,India

Forest canopy density (FCD) is a major factor in the evaluation of forest status and is an important indicator of possible management interventions. The study uses the FCD model with Landsat TM and Landsat 8 OLI images to assess canopy density in India’s Manipur valley and surrounding hills. Normalized difference built-up index (NDBI) was used to extract built-up areas and population density was retrieved from LandScan data, while elevation and slope were obtained from ASTER DEMs (30 m). Four types of canopy density were delineated with crown cover above 71%, 41–70%, 11–40%, below 10% and areas with no canopy cover, that is 0%. A sharp decline in forest area occurred during 1989–2016 at a rate of loss of 2.9 % year-1 with an average rate of deforestation of 3051 ha year-1. Dense forests exhibited remarkable degradation, especially towards the central valley. The variation in the topographical (elevation and slope) gradient resulted in significant differences in the canopy density over the study area barring some hill slopes. Population pressure and various developmental activities in recent decades led to forest degradation in this fragile yet rich Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot.     

Drainage Analysis in a Part of the Brahmaputra Valley in Sivasagar District, Assam, India, to Detect the Role of Neotectonic Activity

An analysis of the drainage network of a part of Sivasagar district, Assam, India, is undertaken to reveal the role of neotectonic activity of the area. A number of fluvial geomorphic anomalies have been identified in the area. A prominent annular drainage anomaly is displayed by the major rivers—the Dikhu, Jhanzi, Namdang, Dorika and Disang, whose courses are carved in response to the ongoing tectonic deformation in the area. This study reveals that the development of topography and drainage system of the study area have been influenced by active subsurface geological structures. Formation of paleochannels, compressed meanders, reticulate streams, swamps, sagging of grounds, stream alignments, lineaments, knick points and abandonment of rivers as well as development of smaller drainage anomalies also substantiate the active nature of the subsurface structures.     

Atmospheric correction to IRS-P6 AWiFS data and its validation with ground measurements: A study over the semi-arid region

In this study, we have implemented a fast atmospheric correction algorithm to IRS-P6 advanced wide field sensor (AWiFS) satellite data for retrieving surface reflectance under different atmospheric and surface conditions. The algorithm is based on MODIS climatology products and simplified use of Second Simulation of Satellite Signal in Solar Spectrum (6S) radiative transfer code. The algorithm requires information on aerosol optical depth (AOD) for correcting the satellite dataset. The atmospheric correction algorithm has been tested for IRS-P6 AWiFS False colour composites covering the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics Farm, Patancheru, Hyderabad, India, under varying atmospheric conditions. Ground measurements of surface reflectance representing different land use/land cover, i.e. red soil, chick pea, groundnut and pigeon pea crops were conducted to validate the algorithm. Terra MODIS AOD₅₅₀ validated with Microtops-II sun photometer–derived AOD₅₀₀ over the urban region of Hyderabad exhibited very good correlation of ～0.92, suggesting possible use of satellite-derived AOD for atmospheric correction.     

Computerized Database of Salt Affected Soils for Agro‐climatic Regions in the Indo–Gangetic Plain of India Using GIS

Abstract

Indo_Gangetic Plain (IGP) of India that stretched from the foothills of Himalayas near the Punjab State to the Gangetic delta in West Bengal State was known for highly fertile soil and favorable climatic condition for highest production of rice‐wheat. Appearance of soil salinity in large areas of IGP caused a major concern due to loss of productivity. The salt affected soils maps of India (NRSA 1997) showed vast areas of salt affected soils distributed along the Gangetic Plain covering the States of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. In the analogue form, these maps contain voluminous data were difficult to handle without messing the whole dataset. An attempt was made to prepare a digitized database of salt affected soils to facilitate easy access, retrieval and map calculations required for reclamation and management of salt affected soil. The salt affected soils maps on 1:250, 000 scale were digitized for the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal using ILWIS. GIS. The Survey of India topomap was used for geo‐referencing and basemap preparation overlaying thematic layers for administrative and political boundaries, infrastructure, irrigation and drainage and settlements. The attribute data on physiography and the soil characteristics were stored in an attribute table and linked with the digitized polygons to prepare a relational database. Combining geo‐referenced (State) maps of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal using GIS, a composite map for Indo‐Gangetic plain was prepared. Four Agroclimatic regions (ACRs) and seventeen Agroclimatic zones (ACZs) were identified in the Indo‐Gangetic Plain (The Planning Commission of India) for planning and development of natural resources at regional level. The boundaries of ACZs and ACRs were delineated from the primary (master) database of IGP using ILWIS.GIS. The distribution of SAS polygons at regional and zonal level was delineated superimposing digitized boundaries of ACRs and ACZs over the master database of IGP. The state‐wise, region‐wise and zone‐wise extent of SAS was calculated. Soils were essentially saline at Lower‐ and Middle Gangetic Plain regions but highly variable and complex saline‐sodic in the Upper‐ and Trans‐Gangetic Plain regions. The area statistics showed that maximum SAS area occurred in ACR V (Upper Gangetic Plain) in Uttar Pradesh (UP) followed by ACR IV (Middle Gangetic Plain) in UP and Bihar, ACR III (Lower Gangetic Plain) in West Bengal and ACR VI (Trans‐Gangetic Plain) of Haryana and Punjab. Such database in digital format provides geo‐referenced, easy to access and retrievable, relational database comprising of thematic and attribute information of salt affected soils at state, regional and zonal level to facilitate overlay and map calculation of related data such as water quality, climatic, landform etc, useful for planning and decision making in reclamation and management of salt affected soils in IGP and other similar regions.     

Characterizing wetland dynamics: a post-classification change detection analysis of the East Kolkata Wetlands using open source satellite data

The East Kolkata Wetlands is a unique resource recovery system. The Ramsar Convention recognized it as a ‘Wetland of International Importance’ in August 2002. However, the long-term resource exploitation and land use changes in the dynamic ecosystem have resulted in non-linear environmental responses. This is an attempt using open source remote sensing datasets to capture the spatio-temporal transformation of the wetland resulting from various anthropogenic activities. Landsat MSS and TM imageries of 1973, 1980, 1989, 2001 and 2010 were classified using Maximum Likelihood Classifier to monitor the wetland change; however, to study wetland dynamics, the post-classification wetland change detection maps have been generated for two temporal phases, i.e. 1973–1989 and 1989–2010. This study finds that the area under wetlands has reduced comprehensively in the past 40 years due to the conversion of wetlands into various other uses such as urban expansion of the Kolkata metropolitan city.     

Computerized database on salt affected soils in western and central India using GIS

Salt affected soils occupy significant areas in western and central India manifested by the arid and semiarid climate, sandy/clayey soil texture, absence of natural drainage, and inadequate infrastructure and irrigation development. These soils are productive following reclamation and appropriate management. The National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad (India) published state-wise maps of salt affected soils in India on 1:250,000 scale using a legend that includes physiography, soil characteristics, and the aerial extent of the mapping units. In the analogue form, voluminous data contained in such maps were difficult to handle by users of varied backgrounds. An attempt was made to prepare a computerized database of salt affected soils for easy access, retrieval, and manipulation of spatial and attribute data useful for management of salt affected soils. The salt affected soils maps were prepared, for Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra states, overlaying digitized layers of SAS polygons and the Survey of India basemap using the ILWIS (Integrated Land and Water Information System) software. GIS was used to prepare a composite (master) database of western and central India that showed the extent and distribution of salt affected soils. A relational database was prepared combining the digitized polygons with soil characteristics such as nature and degree of salinity (presence of higher concentration of neutral salts and neutral soil reaction), sodicity (presence of higher concentration of basic salts and alkaline reaction) and ground coverage. The regional and zonal databases of salt affected soils were prepared at a suitable scale overlaying agro-climatic regions agro-climatic zones. Spatial relation of salt affected soils with physiography, climate, geology, and agro-eco-sub-regions were evaluated employing map calculations in GIS. Saline soils were prevalent in Gujarat, and Rajasthan while sodic soils were dominant in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. These were distributed primarily in the arid (B) plain of Rajasthan, alluvial (A) and coastal (D) plains of Gujarat, and peninsular plain (F) of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. It occupied 2,596,942 ha (78%) in the western (Rajasthan and Gujarat) and 733,608 ha (22%) in the central (Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra) regions. The SAS occupied 3.3 million ha in the western and central region constituting 50% of the total salt affected soils in India. The saline and sodic soils occupied 2,069,285 ha (62%) and 1,261,266 ha (38%), respectively.