Urban cadastral mapping using very high resolution remote sensing data

With growing urban expanses, one of the pre-requisites for effective governance is Urban Information Systems (UIS) with content down to individual properties (and individuals). The basic input i.e., a map, in UIS should show individual property boundaries showing the plan outline of all structures existing within, at a scale of 1:1000 and larger with sub-metre to centimeters planimetric and geometric accuracy. With very high resolution remote sensing data of the order of 1m available in hand, it is possible to prepare maps with high resolution spatial content. The present exercise demonstrates a method of preparing a geometrically and planimetrically accurate urban cadastral map on very large scale for a small area of about 5 sq km. IKONOS merged data with 1m resolution is used for the purpose. Mapping was done in conjunction with on-site measurements and sketches. Guides are used to maintain shape symmetry and accuracy of buildings and other features. Working out cost of mapping per unit area is another objective in the present exercise. For want of fully or semi-automatic methods of information extraction from very high resolution remote sensing data, it is imperative that mapping should be carried out in conjunction with some on-site measurements wherever necessary.     

Role of groundwater protection planning in groundwater governance: A case study from North India

In the present case study, impact of urbanization and industrial development on the shallow groundwater regime of Saharanpur town of Uttar Pradesh in India is examined with the aim of planning groundwater protection for better governance. The hazardous physicochemical and bacteriological parameters and heavy metals detected in the shallow aquifer include harmful pathogens like fecal coliforms, heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, nitrates and sulphates. An assessment of ground water vulnerability using the well known DRASTIC method has confirmed that the shallow groundwater in some central and southern localities of Saharanpur town fall in the medium risk zones. Further, using field data of 32 electrical resistivity soundings, the protective capacity of the unconfined aquifer is assessed in terms of a ‘total longitudinal conductance’ of the semi-pervious to impervious sediments overlying the unconfined aquifer. However, some areas aligned along a northwest-southeast and in the western parts of the town seem to have relatively higher protective capacity against infiltrating waste pollutants. A ground water protection planning map prepared by combining the DRASTIC map and the ‘potentially hazardous pollutants’ map has brought out the need to install eleven new groundwater quality monitoring wells in the town at locations near the line sources and point sources of pollution. This approach can be readily employed by the decision makers in framing sound guidelines for groundwater protection and governance.     

Long-term changes in the within-season temporal profile of southwest monsoon over western India

This paper presents results of a study of long term trends in the characteristics of the within-season temporal profile of southwest monsoon rainfall over western India during the last five decades in relation to global warming induced regional climate change. In contrast to recent climate change analyses and projections, no significant long-term trends have been observed in this study. Slow decadal scale variations observed are analysed in relation to Pacific Decadal Oscillations (PDO). Daily variations in rainfall anomaly show opposite characteristics during negative and positive phases of PDO. The above-normal rainfall (>25%) is found during the starting phase of monsoon in negative PDO. Over the last decade, i.e., during 2000–2007, the seasonal rainfall amount, as well as seasonal span of southwest monsoon over western India is indicative of a gradual increase.     

Structure,mechanical properties and evolution of the lithosphere below the northwest continental margin of India

International Journal of Earth Sciences - The continental breakup history at the northwest continental margin of India remained conjectural due to lack of clearly discernable magnetic anomaly...     

Spatio-temporal variations of respirable particles at residential areas located in the vicinity of opencast coal projects,India: a case study

The objective of the study is to investigate spatio-temporal variations of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM₁ concentrations at seven residential sites, located in the vicinity of opencast coal projects, Basundhara Garjanbahal Area (BGA), India. Meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity, and temperature were collected simultaneously with PM concentrations. Mean concentrations of PM₁₀ in the range 215 ± 169–526 ± 412 μg m^?3, PM_2.5 in the range of 91 ± 79–297 ± 107 μg m^?3, PM₁ in the range of 68 ± 60–247 ± 84 μg m^?3 were obtained. Coarse fractions (PM_2.5–10) varied from 27 to 58% whereas fine fractions (PM_1–2.5 and PM₁) varied in the range of 51–73%. PM_2.5 concentration was 41–74% of PM₁₀ concentration, PM₁ concentration was 31–62% of PM₁₀ concentration, and PM₁ concentration was 73–83% of PM_2.5 concentration. Role of meteorology on PM concentrations was assessed using correlation analysis. Linear relationships were established among PM concentrations using least square regression analysis. With the aid of principal component analysis, two components were drawn out of eight variables, which represent more than 75% of variance. The results indicated that major sources of air pollutants (PM₁₀, PM_2.5, PM₁, CO, CO₂) at the residential sites are road dust raised by vehicular movement, spillage of coal generated during transportation, spontaneous combustion of coal, and biomass burning in village area.