023180   Lathashri U A;Mahesha A (Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics Dep, National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore-575025) : Assessment of aquifer vulnerability to saltwater intrusion in the D. K. district, Karnaataka. J appl Hydrol 2008, 21(1-2), 113-23.

The coastal aquifers constitute important sources of freshwater. Many Indian coastal areas are heavily urbanized, a fact that makes the need for freshwater even more acute. There has been no methodology for evaluating the spatial distribution of the saltwater intrusion which essentially takes into account hydro-geological factors. It is therefore necessary to adopt a mapping system that is simple to apply using the data generally available and yet capable of making best use of those data in a technically valid and useful way. In the present study, the GALDIT index is used to assess the vulnerability of the aquifer to saltwater intrusion in the Pavanje and Gurpur basins of D.K. district, Karnataka. The index is developed based on the most important factors controlling saltwater intrusion. The wells selected for the investigation includes open wells and ponds. The GALDIT Index is obtained by computing the individual indicator scores and summing them up for a given location at a given time. Once the GALDIT index has been computed, it is possible to identify areas that are more likely to be susceptible to saltwater intrusion than other areas. Higher the index, greater is the saltwater intrusion potential. From the studies it is found that the entire study area falls under three categories of vulnerability ie low, moderate and highly vulnerable to saltwater intrusion according to GALDIT rating. The study area is worst affected by saltwater intrusion in the month of April. The wells which are very close to the coast and are within a distance of 300m, were found to be saline throughout the year. The area on the northern side viz Chelaru, Mukka, Pavanje and Haleyangadi are less affected during the post-monsoon season (Nov to Jan) and are highly vulnerable during the summer season (Feb to May). The areas down south viz Baikampady, Kenjar, Jokatte and Kulai, are also seen to be greatly affected by saltwater intrusion in the months of April and May. In all, the results from the study would be useful for planning further developments in the region or detailed investigation on the advancement of saltwater intrusion.

6 illus, 5 tables, 9 ref

023179   Krishan T V (Geography Dep, Andhra Univ, Visakhapatnam-530003) : Urban structute of Visakhapatnam urban agglomeration. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(2), 17-28.

The importance of Urban and metropolitan planning has been growing tremendously with the globalization and liberalization of economies significantly contributing to rapid growth and change in the urban structures in metropolitan towns. At present, studies on metropolitan planning has been widening their depths to analyse changes at the microlevel, that is, wards and villages included in urban agglomeration, as every spectrum of the city shows different characteristics on the surrounding and vicinity regions, in respect of population concentration growth, workers structures and spatial and physical characteristics in respective regions. The studies on the above-mentioned kind are very scanty. The Visakhapatnam City is one of the fastest growing cities in India and also in Asia. In the context of globalization and liberalization policies creating favourable environment and intensifying the growth of Visakhapatnam City at the grassroots level, the microlevel data base and spatial characteristics are essential for developing effective planning systems in metropolitan and urban planning in the existing and future healthy growth of the city. Keeping the above aspects under consideration an attempt is made in this paper to analyse the urban spatial structures in respect of population concentrations, growth and workers structure. Further the study also assess the structure and spatial growth and character in the existing and future scenarios in respective regions and vicinity areas.

1 illus, 4 tables, 19 ref

023178   Jafari A;Jagmohan Das G (Civil Engineering Dep, M J College of Engineering and Technology, Hydrerabad-500 034, Email: jafari64@gmail.com) : Non-linear programming solution to conjunctive use problem. J appl Hydrol 2007, 20(4), 1-17.

Water in recent times has become a social, political and economic tool, whose availability is the key to the progress of any region. The indiscriminate exploitation of the resource has not only restricted the availability of freshwater but it is also seen as a cause of pollution of the resource. Polluted waters are a serious concern on the sustainability of the resource itself. One way of dealing with the problem of sustainability of water supplies is to adopt conjunctive use practices for optimal utilization of the resource. The present paper focuses on mathematical solution of the conjunctive use problem by formulating a non-linear optimization problem for allocation of surface water and groundwater of a region subject to various system constraints. The optimization model is solved by employing Sequential Unconstrained Minimization Technique (SUMT). The groundwater hydraulics is incorporated in the optimization model by adopting Unit Response Matrix Technique for transient flows. The applicability of the Integrated Conjunctive Use Model to real field problems is demonstrated by employing it to obtain conjunctive allocations of groundwater and surface water in the Dulapally watershed of Andhra Pradesh, India.

9 illus, 6 tables, 14 ref

023177   Giri M M;Prasad N (Geography Dep, T D B College, Raniganj-713 347) : Geomorphological characteristics and ground water resources potentials the Jamuniya river basin Jharkhand: an assessment. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(2), 187-92.

The Jamuniya River Basin is marked by the development of a polycilic and polygenetic landscape under fluvial environment thus providing adequate water supply including ground water resources. Present authors have elucidated the major landscape elements which are found to be also modified by the changing geomorphic processes to cause a number of modifications on the fluvial landforms as well as drainage patterns. Due weightage are given on the resources potentials in the Jamuniya River Basin with some hints on their utilisation in the related economic activities of the area under consideration.

1 illus, 3 ref

023176   Ghosh A;Roy I D (Geography Dep, Calcutta Univ, Kolkata) : Dynamics in the distribution of slums in Kolkata: a spatial analysis. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(2), 29-34.

The most important identifying feature of the urban areas of the world is the presence of slums. According to UNESCO report (1952) a slum is defined "an area characterised by overcrowding, deterioration in sanitary conditions or absence of facilities or amenities which endanger the health, safety or morals of its inhabitants or the community". In Kolkata slums have grown up simultaneously with the growth of the city. The 1956 Slum Act defines slums as 'those areas where buildings are in any respect unfit for human habitation'. According to Act of 1980 the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) recognises two slum categories-Registered Slums and Unregistered Slums. The Registered slums are recognised on the basis of land title. Since 1980, they have been taken over by the KMC for letting/lease to slum dwellers. On the other hand unregistered slums comprise the land encroaching settlement. The KMC Act of 1980 defines bustees as 'an area of land not less than 700 sq. metres occupied by any collection of huts or other structures used or intended to be used for human habitation. The objective of this study is to identify whether there is any change of spatial pattern in the growth of slum. The present study is based mainly on data and maps collected from Kolkata Municipal Corporation headquarters and different Borough Offices. Authors have also visited some of the bustees to collect primary data. To analyse the data appropriate statistical techniques are applied. The results thereof are incorporated in the interpretation part to highlight the changes in the locational pattern of the growth of slums in Kolkata. Attempts have also been made to explain the reasons behind such changes in the distribution of slums in Kolkata.

3 illus, 31 ref

023175   Ezhisai Vallabi K;Poongothai S (Civil Engineering Dep, Annamalai Univ, Annamlainagar, Email: ezhisai_kb@yahoo.co.in) : Assessment of water resources of a coastal watershed, Tamil Nadu. J appl Hydrol 2008, 21(1-2), 11-22.

Nowadays watershed management plays a vital role in water resources engineering. Many researchers emphasize on watershed based water resources planning and management, which is necessary to plan and conserve the available natural resources. When a watershed is properly managed for water, it is also managed simultaneously for soil and vegetation. Due to rapid growth in population and subsequent over exploitation of water resources along the coastal line of Tamilnadu, many coastal watersheds are subjected to extreme depletion of ground water level and sea water intrusion. This study considered a coastal watershed which is located eastern side of tail end of Nagapattinam district, Tamilnadu. This study attempted the creation of a watershed database for sustainable development of water resources.

8 illus, 5 tables, 6 ref

023174   Dutta R K (Geography Dep, Calcutta Univ, Kolkata-700 019) : Landform-land use characteristics of western Himalyan foothill with special reference to Haridwar district, Uttarakhand. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(2), 179-84.

The study area is situated in upper Ganga basin and southern part of the area falls under Ganga-Yamuna Doab. The study area is characterized with varied fluvial and tectonic landforms. According to the land form characteristics an important land use pattern has been formed in the foothill area. The geo- lithological structure of Siwalik Himalaya and active fluvial processes have a great impact in the evolution of physical and cultural landscapes in the study area. Being rich in various valuable natural resources the entire area has enough potentiality of development.

7 illus, 4 tables, 7 ref

023173   Dinesan V P;Harikumar P S;Anitha A B (NO, Center for Water Resources Development and Management(CWRDM), Kunnamangalam-673 571, Email: dineshewrdm@yahoo.com) : Urban water management in humid tropics-a case of calicut corporation. J appl Hydrol 2008, 21(1-2), 33-40.

Cities bear witness to the creative and innovative skills of human beings. As the cities grow beyond their carrying capacity, there is a general recognition on the need for managing the water resources effectively. The water related services provided to the urban population includes; water supply, wastewater treatment and disposal, flood protection and drainage, and provision of water as a general amenity. The broader perspectives in urban water management lead to the concept of sustainability, which call for total management of the water cycle which includes: integrated storm water, groundwater, water supply,and wastewater based management and water conservation based approaches. The emergence of new methodologies, including Decision Support System, based on GIS and other expert systems that combine data, information and judgment give a new impetus to urban water management. The urban water related issues in Calicut Corporation area and their management through innovative technologies are presented in this paper.

4 illus, 12 tables, 6 ref

023172   Deshpande A B;Anjaneyulu B;Shinde M G (Agricultural Engineering Section, College of Agriculture, Kolhapur-416 004) : Studies on recharge rates through shallow tube well in confined aquifer. J appl Hydrol 2007, 20(4), 18-26.

An experiment on the measurement of recharge rates through shallow tube well in the confined aquifer was conducted in the Midnapur district of West Bengal. The recharge tests were conducted for three different imposed heads of 1.85, 2.15 and 2.45 m and for four consecutive days. It was observed that the recharge rates increased with the imposed head and decreased from the first to the fourth day. The constants in the recharge equation were computed for different heads and days. Well characteristics were studied to describe the performance of the well and aquifer system for the artificial recharge.

6 illus, 3 tables, 4 ref

023171   Das N;Bhattacharya B;Deb M (Geography Dep, Disaster Management, Tripura Univ, Tripura) : Geo-environmental impact on land use: a comparative study in west Tripura. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(2), 93-108.

Ghanaiyamara and Krishnakishornagar are the two adjacent villages of Bishalgarh Rural Development Block of West Tripura District with distinctly different landform characteristics. Ghanaiyamara is characterised mainly by upland-valley landscape (locally termed as Tilla-Lunga) whereas Krishnakishornagar is dominantly a plain land. Geo-environment mainly soil, drainage, landfonn also differ greatly in these two villages. Main theme of this paper is to point out the differences in geo-environment and their impact on the uses of land in different surfaces as identified on the basis of elevation differences. Moreover, proposed land use planning has also been mentioned for proper utilization of the uplands or tillas through Integrated Wasteland Management Programme (IWDP), National Watershed Development Programme under Rain fed Areas (NWDPRA) etc. so that the area can prosper from agricultural and horticultural point of view.

5 illus, 2 tables, 9 ref

023170   Das N (Geography & Disaster Management Dep, Tripura Univ, Tripura) : Watershed development programme-key to the sustainable development of Fatikcherra micro watershed under Bishalgarh R.D. block, West Tripura district. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(1), 155-9.

A watershed is a Geo-hydrological unit, occurring in definite physiographic area and draining out the run off through a single outlet. The landforms, soil types, water resource and land use type are the major components of watershed. The watershed approach is a project based ridge to valley approach which has conventionally aimed at treating degraded lands with the help of low cost and locally accessed technologies such as in-situ soil and moisture conservation measures, afforestation etc. and through a participatory approach that seeks a secure close involvement of the user communities. The broad objective is the promotion of the overall economic development and improvement of the socio-economic conditions of the resource poor sections of people inhabiting in the programme areas. Fatikcherra micro watershed has been selected for the National Watershed Development Project in Rain fed Areas under the Sonai river catchment of Bishalgarh Block in West Tripura District, which aims at holistic development of people in the area. This paper deals with the present land use pattern and the proposed activities to enhance the quality of the rural livelihood support system i.e. to increase the production and to enhance the productivity in cultivated areas, largely privately owned.

1 illus, 1 table, 3 ref

023169   Chatterjee N (Geography Dep, Presidency College, Kolkata-73) : Inselberg landscapes of the Chotanagpur plateau fringe terrain of Jharkahand and West Bengal, India. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(2), 81-92.

Inselbergs are examples of the relict topographic elements normally constitute the polycyclic and also the polygenetic landscapes of the Chotanagpur Plateau including the fringes locating both Jharkhand and West Bengal estats. This study encompasses the important findings on the relict topographic elements particularly focussing the development and characteristics of the Inselbergs. Present author has adopted the advanced methods and depended mainly on the information and evidences of primary sources and involving intensive field work.

6 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

023168   Brema J;Prince Arulraj G (School of Civil Engineering, Karunya Univ, Karunya Nagar, Coimbatore-641 114, Email: bjayanarayanan@yahoo.co.in) : Runoff estimation for small catchements using geographical information system. J appl Hydrol 2008, 21(1-2), 144-52.

Water resources are increasingly managed at the watershed level. A watershed is the area covering all the land that contributes runoff water to a common point. Watershed management programme for conservation and development of natural resources management has necessitated the runoff estimation. Advances in computational power and the growing availability of spatial data have made it possible to accurately predict the runoff. Information technologies, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and computer simulation are important in the analysis and management of water resources The possibility of rapidly combining data of different types in a Geographic Information System (GIS) has led to significant increase in its use in hydrological applications. In this paper, an attempt has been made to estimate the runoff from small catchments using GIS and it has been validated with the field data.

10 illus, 3 table, 4 ref

023167   Bhattacharyya S (NO, Calcutta Univ, Kolkata) : Agricultural land use responses to environmental hazards of Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(2), 133-40.

Environmental, social and economic aspects are intricably intertwined in the rural communities of Purba Medinipur District. In a hazard prone district like Purba Medinipur. communities experience a number of environmental constraints that limit what they can achieve. Environmental hazards in various forms modify the cropping pattern and productivity of agriculture. The net influence on agricultural land use manifest itself through the viability of farming as the rural society of the district is shaped by an interplay of local environmental hazards, land use pattern and local initiatives. In the present analysis an attempt has been made to analyze the environmental threats to agricultural land use pattern and how agricultural land uses are changing in response to these environmental threats.

6 ref

023166   Bhattacharya K;Dey R (Geography Dep, Burdwan Univ, Barddhaman-713 104) : Soil crop relationship of Akna mouza Hugli district. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(2), 208-12.

Soil is the natural medium for the growth of plant. Soil, in this sense covers land as a continuum. Its characteristics in any place develop from of the influence of climate and living matter acting upon the parent material as conditioned by relief over periods of time. There is a close relationship between soil and crop. Fertile soil is very productive. From the dawn of civilization, the riverine alluvial tract is treated as the mother land of the food grains. A rural mouza. named Akna in Chinsurah police station of Hugli district, West Bengal, adjacent to the moribund river Saraswati has been chosen to establish the soil crop relationship. It is a flat riverine alluvial tract.

7 ref

023165   Bhattacharjee D (Geograhy Dep, Univ of Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal) : Glacio problems of the Gongotri area. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(1), 195-204.

The Gangotri glacier group is one of the largest Himalayan glacier groups. The glacier with 30.20km in length originates from Chaukhamba group of peaks at an elevation of 7138m msl and flows in Northwest direction. The Gangotri glacier is in a continuous state of recession since the turn of twentieth century. The paper deals with a comprehensive account of Glacio fluvial aspects with particular emphasis on the problem of recession of this glacier both in space and time.

4 illus, 2 tables, 8 ref

023164   Bhat S A;Romshoo S A (Geology and Geophysics Dep, Kashmir Univ, Srinagar, J & K, Email: shakeelgeo@yahoo.com) : Digital elevation model based watershed characteristic of upper watersheds of Jhelum basin. J appl Hydrol 2008, 21(1-2), 101-12.

Watershed characteristics of a basin represent physical and morphological attributes that are employed in synthesizing its hydrological response. However, the manual measurement of basin parameters is labor intensive and DEM can be very useful data source for extracting all complex Morphometric parameters of the watersheds particularly of inaccessible mountainous watersheds. In this research, 20m DEM has been used to carry out detailed Morphometric analyses of five Himalayan watersheds of Indus River India. The values of drainage density vary from 2.62 to 4.5. The drainage density of Wl (3.01Km^{-2/ km), W2 (2.83 KmVkm) and W5 (4.5 Km-2/km) indicate that regions under these watersheds are composed of impermeable subsurface material, sparse vegetation and mountainous relief while as drainage density of W3 (2.62 Knr/km) and W4 (2.72 Km-2/km) reveals that these watersheds are composed of permeable subsurface material, vegetation cover and low relief as compared to other three watersheds. The watershed W5 (19.74) shows very high stream frequency, followed by Wl (6.59) and W2 (6.52). These values indicate W5 has very low infiltration capacity among all other watersheds and reflects early peak discharge followed by Wl and W2. Stream frequency shows W3 (4.70) and W4 (5.01) have very good infiltration capacity and runoff would take time to peak because of low runoff rates. The values of length of overland flow of watersheds Wl (0.17) W2 (0.18) W3 (0.19) and W4 (0.18) pointing to gentler slopes and longer flow paths than W5 (0.11). It is concluded that DEM based watershed characteristics can be very useful technique to modefthe hydrological response of the unguaged watersheds like flooding and watershed management.}

15 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

023163   Astjama S P;Mondal M K (D.A.V. College, , C S J M Univ) : Ichhamoti, basin, W.B: transformation in land use pattern and planning for sustainable development. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(1), 146-54.

Land is a primary natural resource that fulfill our basic needs as well as secondary needs with ever increasing population. The number of claimer of land is also rapidly increasing. In an agricultural sector, the changing physical, economic, technological innovations and institutional factors interact with each other and it lead to the transformation of agricultural land scape. The present work tries to analyses the transformation (1981 -2001) in land use pattern of Ichhamoti basin area, W.B., and will also try to provide guidelines for sustainable development.

4 illus, 5 tables, 11 ref

023162   Asthana S P;Dey A (D.A.V College, C S J M Univ, Kanpur, U.P.) : Appraisal of natural resources for the development of Nadia district, West Bangal. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(1), 160-70.

The study area, Nadia District, is situated in the middle-east part of West Bengal also border of Bangladesh. According to the latest census Nadia is more populus district in West Bengal. The study area has been suffering from floods, water pollution, water logging, loss of soil fertility etc. resulting insufficient food grain productions, need appraisal of the resources of area. Besides, its migration of population from Bangladesh creats over burden on local resources and criminal activities. Some bottleneck in transport and lack of complete package of services at focal points etc. are some of the crucial problems of the area. So that problems could be eliminated by the area development approach of planning. In this regard appraisal of natural resources is very essential for the district and if the proposed plan which is included there in, is implemented then the area will be more developed in future.

3 illus, 2 tables, 8 ref

023161   Arefin M S (Social Work Dep, Rajshahi Univ, Rajshahi-62 05 Bangladesh, Email: arefinmatin@yahoo.com) : Felt needs awareness and community participation in a small-scale water management project in northwest Bangladesh. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(2), 121-32.

Examines the implications of people's awareness with relation to their felt-needs for water resources on the successfulness of a participatory small-scale water resource management sub-project in northwest rural Bangladesh. The data respectively collected by focus group discussion and record compilation methods from the primary sources such as key informants of the project implementing organization i.e. LGED officials, local people/farmers, and members vis-a-vis records of local water management institution; and the secondary sources such as relevant LGED documents and project evaluation reports. Data shows that local people are not actually interested in the water management since the project slightly addresses local fanners' felt-needs for water resources. As a consequence, people's participation in the community-based water management project in northwest rural Bangladesh is limited within officialized process.

5 illus, 12 ref

023160   Anita A B;Linda N E;James E J (Surface Water Div, CWRDM, Kozhikode, Kerala) : Comparison of unit hydrographs derived by different methods for a watershed in the humid tropics. J appl Hydrol 2008, 21(1-2), 1-10.

The estimation of flood flows resulting from the rainfall is required in the planning, design and operation of water resources development projects in a watershed. The unit hydrograph technique is a simple tool used by water resources engineers for the estimation of flood flows. Although, number of techniques are available for finding the unit hydrograph, all of them have some advantages as well as disadvantages. In the present study, four approaches viz, the unit hydrograph using conventional method based on Sherman's approach, conventional Nash model based on method of moments, Nash model based on optimization, and Integer Nash model have been attempted and compared for the Payyakkara watershed of the Bhavani basin in the Attappady valley of Palakkad district, Kerala.. The models require rainfall and observed discharge hydrographs for the isolated events as input. Rainfall- runoff events of four isolated sets of different duration have been used for the study. The models give the baseflow hydrograph, direct runoff hydrograph, excess rainfall hyetograph, the parameters N and K, IUH and UH ordinates and computed discharge hydrograph as output. The performance of the model has been assessed by predicting the discharge hydrographs for the same storm using its representative unit hydrographs derived by different methods and compared the peak and time to peak values of observed and computed Direct Runoff Hydrograph (DRH). Also, the comparison of the DRH has been evaluated by using error functions such as efficiency, average standard error, average absolute error, and average percentage absolute error, percentage absolute error in peak and percentage absolute error in time to peak. It is found that in all the cases, the efficiency of all the models are greater than 95%. The peak and lag time obtained from the hydrograph throw light on the influence of basin characteristics on the runoff process. In the absence of actual gauged data, the hydrograph will be useful for prediction of flood hydrograph in the Payyakkara watershed of humid tropical region.

2 illis, 5 tables, 17 ref

023159   Alam N (NO, , Karim City College) : Urban sprawl mapping of Hyderabad city using satelite imageries of various resolutions arch GIS and ERDAS mode. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(1), 141-5.

Urban land demand has been a matter of serious concern for planers and development agencies. This task was not very easy so far as the ever growing nature of city regions and the changing nature of the attributes found within the city are diverse. The coming of the remote sensing techniques made it easier though it still need too much care. However some of the areas always remained out of the delineation. But these problems have been solved to a great extent in this scheme of delineation. The scheme is very much in use to deal with the ever changing nature of urban growth. Changing nature of urban land use and land cover is very frequent which make it essential to have an accurate and quick method of land use and land cover calculation to frame appropriate and timely efforts of development. Hyderabad has been the fastest growing metropolitan city of India during last decade. Therefore the satellite imageries of the same city are used to study the nature of land cover during the last three decades. Land uses are continuously changing phenomena of city regions. They are also transformed from one class to another and some of them get rejuvenated which is still a tedious task. This paper is about the urban sprawl in which authors have tried to deal in detail about the methodologies involved in urban sprawl using LANDS AT imageries of Hyderabad city in ERDAS environment. Using this method optimum result could be detected to compare the temporal change in city expansion. And development measures could be chalked out on the basis of classification results.

2 tables, 6 ref

023158   Agnihotri A (NO, , 20-D, Pariyawan House, Civil Lines, Rae Bareli-229 00) : Morphological regionalization and morpho-units of Mahan river basin. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2007, 30(1), 115-26.

Morphology regionalization refers to the identification, delimitation and characterization of similar units of topographic mosaic having identical response to the dialectic alternate effects of external and internal morphodynamics and material structures of the terrain at varying hierarchical scales'. On the basis of the definition of morphological regionalization an attempt has been made in the present study of Mahan River Basin to regroup the sub-systems of morphological features of common characteristics in the forms of morpho-units where six geomorphic variables viz. Relative Relief (R_R), Slope (S), Dissection index (DI) etc. have been used for well recognition of morpho-units to introduce the morphological regionalization in Mahan River Basin. Further these variables are surface expression of a sub-system of denudation system and therefore, they can be employed for representing the dynamic properties of the terrain of Mahan River Basin.

4 illus, 2 tables, 21 ref

022277   Singh A K (Geography Dep, Lucknow Univ, Lucknow, U.P.) : Slope instability problems in the central himalayas with special reference to Karmi region and the Karmi landslide. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 7-22.

Discusses the related problems of slope instability and the assosiated affairs of the Central Himalaya considering both the physical and cultural components of the undulating landforms of this neotectonically unstable terrain. Stresses are given on the anthropogenic factors vs ecological imbalances thus deciphering the root causes of slope instability along with the potential assessment of slope instability in the study areas. The aspects of Karmi calamity and resultant damage etc. have been discussed along with the necessary preventive measures towards the amelioration of such hazards in the area under consideration.

4 illus, 3 table, 4 ref

022276   Shamsan E F;Ansari Z A (NO, National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004) : Reproductive biology of Indian sand whiting Sillago sihama (Forsskal). Indian J Mar Sci 2010, 39(2), 280-4.

Sillago sihama have a prolonged breeding season from June to December, with spawning activity peaked during the period of September to November. Length at first maturity stage was found to vary between 155-164 mm (total length) in both sexes. Although overall sex ratio indicated predominance of female, Chi-square test (x^{2) showed no significant difference throughout the year. Fecundity varied from 11,376 to 103,695 per fish, is significantly correlated with total length (r = 0.85, p < 0.01), body weight (r = 0.88, ρ< 0.01) and ovary weight (r = 0.87, ρ< 0.01).}

5 illus, 11 ref

022275   Sarkar S K;Gupta M M;Ahmad I;Johny C J;De A K;Punyaseshudu D (Radio and Atmospheric Sciences Div, National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K S Krishnan Road, New Delhi-110 012, Email: sksarkar@mail.nplindia.ernet.in) : Non performance estimation of a microwave communication link due to rain during the monsoon months of 2006 over Kolkata. Indian J Phys 2009, 83(10), 1385-94.

The non performance of a microwave communication link located over Kolkata due to heavy rain in the monsoon months of 2006 has been investigated by monitoring the amplitude variation of signal on twenty hour basis. It has been seen that the link did not serve any purpose for 4% during the monsoon period of 2006 while the signal level was less than -78 dBm. Infact the study revealed that the link performance started deteriorating when the signal was of the order of -73 dBm.

11 illus, 10 ref

022274   Roy M K;Rahman M M;Mydul Haque M;Majidul Haque M;Roy P J (Geology and Mining Dep, Rajshahi Univ, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh) : Morphogeology and land use mapping of the Durgapur Upazilla, Rajshahi District, Bangladesh. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 43-50.

Physiographically, the study area of Durgapur Upazilla, Rajshahi, Bangladesh covers the Recent to Holocene Northern Ganges floodplain in the southern part and natural levee-flood basin in the northern part. The identified morphogeological elements are active channel deposits, abandoned channel deposits, natural levee deposits, flood plain deposits, flood basin deposits, back swamp deposits and old bar deposits. The subsurface litho-succession is composed of channel, bar and over bank fine deposits, which usually form fining upward sequence. Three numbers of sedimentary cycles compose the litho succession up to 60m depth of the study area. The lower most channels of the litho-succession are of high velocity rivers in alluvial fan set up having gravelliferous fills. The channels in the middle part of the litho-succession are of braided nature with coarser channel deposits than over bank fines. The channels of the upper part of the litho-succession are also large meandering rivers characterized by the proportionate amount of channel and over bank fine deposits. The older Holocene large channels flowed from north to south direction in contrast to the Recent small scale meandering rivers that flow towards east from west. Natural levees and old bars are most suitable for urban development and population settlement in the study area.

6 illus, 14 ref

022273   Rana R S (CSKHPKV, Regional Research Station, Dhaulakuan, Distt. Sirmour-173 001) : Development and evaluation of extreme value type-I unit hydrograph model. Indian J Soil Conserv 2009, 37(1), 26-9.

Hydrologic data of Gagas sub-catchment of Ramganga reservoir catchment, in Uttarakhand with an area of 506 sq. km. was analyzed to develop unit hydrographs. The extreme value type I distribution function was used to develop unit hydrograph model of the sub-catchment. Model parameters were determined by method of moments. Direct runoff hydrographs were developed by convolving effective rainfall values with one hour unit hydrograph (1 -h UH) derived by extreme value type I distribution function for evaluating the prediction performance of the model. Quantitative performance based on statistical measures like coefficient of efficiency and absolute relative error in computed peak flow rates were evaluated in order to test the validity and assess the applicability of the model. The average values of coefficient of efficiency and absolute relative error in computed peak flow rates were observed to be 0.92 and 6.76 per cent, respectively. Thus, extreme value type-I unit hydrograph model can be suitably used to simulate the direct runoff hydrographs of Gagas sub-catchment.

2 illus, 2 tables, 3 ref

022272   Rajani Kumari V;Rao I M (PNCO Dep, School of Chemistry, Andhra Univ, Visakhapatnam-530 003, Email: imrao_ivaturi@yahoo.co.in]) : Suspended sediment dynamics in Krishna estuary, east coast of India. Indian J Mar Sci 2010, 39(2), 248-56.

Distribution and flux of suspended sediments and turbidity in the Krishna estuary were examined. TSM showed an increasing trend from head to mouth. A vertical gradient in TSM, increasing from surface to bottom prevails at all stations in monsoon. Distribution of TSM in tidal cycle shows relatively high load during high tide indicating the dominance of saline water. Turbidity exhibited relatively high values in monsoon and low values in premonsoon and postmonsoon. Horizontal variation of turbidity closely resembles that of TSM with an increasing trend from head (st. 1) to mouth (st. 3) of the estuary. Turbidity maximum, noticed with different intensities in all seasons. This was due to gravitational residual circulation and settling and resuspension processes of the fine sediment. The spatial distribution of turbidity resembles that of TSM in all seasons. Minor deviations observed in the distribution of turbidity from that of TSM were attributed to the differences in nature, particle size and shape of TSM.

5 illus, 2 tables, 43 ref

022271   Panda D (NO, Utkal Univ, Bhubaneswar) : Food, nutrition and health status of the nishis-a case study of Chimpu village of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 23-6.

The food, nutrition and health status of the Nishis have been studied by using the dietary survey of the Chimpu village. The Chimpu village is located about 5 kms from the state capital Itanagar and inhabited by Nishi tribes of Tibeto-mongoloid stock. The food and nutrition status is an indicator of the socio-economic and health status of an individual. The correlation between the food intake and nutrition with reference to the incidence of diseases caused by imbalanced diatery habit has been analysed. The recommendation of the Nutrition Advisory Committee(1968) of a well balanced Indian diet has been used in this study. The tribes of Arunachal Pradesh are mostly non-vegeterian in their food habits. The general food consumption pattern of the Nishies are cereals, vegetables, meat,fish,egg and local drinks. The study reaveals that the existing food habit is imbalanced both in quality and quantity leading to nutritional deficiencies. The overall nutritional intake is 3351.92 calorie higher than the required 2500.00 calorie. The cereals, vegetables, fruits, meat, fish and egg are surplus food consumed. Pulses, fats, sugar and milk are deficient.Imbalanced food habit coupled with the use of contaminated water resulted in the occurrence of several diseases; intestional diseases, jaundice, T.B, malaria, hook worm, B.P, skin, nail, and eye diseases, higher infant mortality rate.

2 tables, 8 ref

022270   Negi M S;Dutt D (Geography Dep, H.N.B. Garhwal Univ, Srinagar, Garhwal (Uttrakhand)) : Techniques of geomorphic mapping in the sub-himalayan terrain: based on aerial photo-interpretation. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 133-8.

Concernes with the method of techniques of geomorphic mapping in the gently undulating SubHimalayan terrain based on modem methods and field varification with special reference to aerial photo-interpretation of the study area. Due weightage has been given on the related variables like landforms, the drainage etc. mentioning the 'procedure' in details for the purpose of preparing the necessary geomorphic mapps of the rugged SubHimalayan region. The relevamt discussions on the problems of geomorphic processes with particular emphasis on the influence of structure including the tectonic movements prevailing in the Doon valleys and the Siwalik within the study area have been made with the necessary illustration.

8 ref

022269   Naik R K;Sarno D;Kooistra W H C F;Costa P M D;Anil A C (National Institute of Oceanography, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dona Paula, Goa-403 004, Email: acanil@nio.org]) : Skeletonema (Bacillariophyceae) in Indian waters: a reappraisal. Indian J Mar Sci 2010, 39(2), 290-3.

The planktonic diatom genus Skeletonema is common in Indian coastal waters. Recent taxonomic studies have uncovered high diversity in this genus, and it is expected that several species occur also in the highly diverse marine habitats along the Indian coastline. In the present study, material of a culture raised from a specimen isolated from a water sample taken from Goa and material from two Lugol fixed samples, one from the Bay of Bengal and one from the Arabian Sea, were examined. Samples were examined in LM and SEM. The culture strain from Goa was also characterized using its LSU rDNA sequence. Results revealed that the above strain belongs to S. costatum sensu stricto. The sample from the Bay of Bengal contained S. grevillei and the sample from the Arabian Sea, S. tropicum.

1 plate, 32 ref

022268   Maity A E;Mazumdar B C (Horticulture Dep, Institute of Agricultural Science, Calcutta Univ and Sericultural Far, Ayoddhya Hills, Purulia Govt. of West Bengal, West Bengal) : Role of exogenous application of n-triacontanol and auxin on productivity and quality of leaves and fruits in mulberry (Morus alba L.), in the western hilly region of West Bengal. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 27-34.

Trees of Morus alba L. of the cultivar, S-1, which were 11 years old were sprayed with aqueous solutions of 2, 4 and 6 ppm of n-Triacontanol (TR1-A) and 10, 30 and 50 ppm of alpha-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at the 3rd week of August, after VA months of priming to 15-18 cm height. All the treatments enhanced productivity of the leaves and fruits, sweetness of the fruits as well as rate of consumption of leaves by the silkworm larvae, although the extent of increase widely varied according to treatments. A comparison of the two growth-regulants in respect of increased productivity of the leaves and fruits as well as sweetness of fruits over control overtly brought about significantly higher effectiveness of the n-TRI-A than the auxin. Effectiveness of the former chemical was pronounced more sharply with decreasing concentrations of it. In regard to consumption rate of leaves by the larvae, the auxin had been somewhat more effective than the other chemical and the effectiveness had been greater with increasing concentration of it.

4 illus, 1 table, 18 ref

022267   Maiti C (Geography Dep, Bangabasi College, Kolkata, West Bengal) : Sericulture in West Bengal-a sustainable livelihood. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 59-62.

Sericulture, is one of the economically fruitful agro-based industries developed in West Bengal and is the only state to produce all the four varieties of silks. In West Bengal the favourable geo-ecological conditions for sericulture activities are available, which provides a strong economic base to the rural people by providing them various employment opportunities. To make the industry sustainable Govt. of West Bengal plays a vital role to promote the sericulture activities through providing various support services.

2 ref

022266   Limma Mol V P;Reveendran T V;Parameswaran P S;Kunnath R J;Sathyan N (National Institute of Oceanography (Regional Center), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Kochi, Email: tvravi@nio.org]) : Antifouling sesquiterpene from the Indian soft coral, Sinularia Kavarattiensis alderslade and Prita. Indian J Mar Sci 2010, 39(2), 270-3.

A sesquiterpene, (1¹E,5'E))-2-(2',6'-dimethylocta-1',5',7'-trienyl)-4-furoic acid [1], was isolated for the first time from the soft coral Sinularia kavarattiensis Alderslade & Prita collected from Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu, India). This compound exhibited considerable larval settlement inhibition properties against the cosmopolitan biofouler, Balanus amphitrite. The observed mean EC₅₀ value of 11.21 μg/ml is well within the biological potency cut off set for natural product antifoulants (NPA's). The low EC₅₀ value and favourable therapeutic ratio (5.16) coupled with its known synthetic routes enhances the potential of 1 as a promising NPA.

2 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

022265   Kundu P K (Geography Dep, Nalanda Vidyapith (HS), Dakshin Dinajpur-733 10, West Bengal) : Evolution of a border town: Balurghat, a case of rapid urbanization without the proper sense of 'Urbanism'. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 139-44.

Twenty-first century is the age of urbanization. India is meant to be a major player in this pace of urbanization which is considerably fast among the developing countries. Like other border towns in west Bengal, the Balurghat town has played an eminent role in the field of steady urbanization with a growth rate of (+) 13.31% which is higher than the state level (+) 8.2% (Census-2001). Rapid growth rate of population make it possible to change its urban status from class-IV to Class -I town within only three decades (1971-2001). Although the town is neither an industrial nor a large -scale trade based urban culture. The location of Balurghat near the international boundary is a factor that accounts for its speedy urban growth on the one hand; and it's in habituated economic growth, on the other hand. The urban fabric of this town is predominantly rural in nature. The population of town has grown very rapidly particularly in two phases, during post independence and during liberation war of Bangladesh. Economically it is not a generative town. Social and political relations are of a pre-industrial nature there.

2 illus, 2 tables, 8 ref

022264   Karuppasamy P K;Muraleedharan K R;Dineshkumar P K;Nair M (National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Center, Post Box No. 1913, Ernakulam North Post, Cochin-682 018, Email: muraleedharan@nio.org]) : Distribution of mesopelagic micronekton in the Arabian sea during the winter monsoon. Indian J Mar Sci 2010, 39(2), 227-37.

Response of micronekton to oxygen minimum zones in the Arabian Sea (AS) during winter monsoon period was investigated using data of 52 trawls deployed during four winter cruises between 1998 and 2000. Twenty-nine species, representing 19 groups were identified in the deep scattering layer (DSL). The mesopelagic community was dominated by shrimps, myctophids, fish larvae, phosichthyids and leptocephalus. Based on the distribution, two regions were distinguished: the southern Arabian Sea (sAS) and the northern Arabian Sea (nAS). Ceratoscopelus warmingii, Diogenichthys panurgus, Diaphus fragilis, Lampanyctus turneri, Thallasocaris carinata, Leptochela robusta, Oplophorus typus, Viniciguria nimbaria, V.leucita were dominant in the sAS; Benthosema pterotum, Bolinichthys longipes, Diogenichthys panurgus, D. fragilis, D. aliciae, V. nimbaria, V. leucita were dominant in the nAS. Most of these species were abundant in the upper 50 m during night, but were found in the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) between 175 to 800 m north of 13oN during daytime. Fourteen of 29 species were detected within the OMZ during day time.

4 illus, 4 tables, 52 ref

022263   Hoda M M (Geography Dep, Aligarh Muslim Univ, Aligarh, U.P.) : Analysis of regulated mandi transaction and its relations to hinterland: a case study. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 51-8.

Regulated mandi is one of the important institutions in contemporary agro-marketing. This regulated mandi not only providing marketing facilities to the farmers but simultaneously it has very close relations with their notified area. In this paper an attempt has been made to understand the role of regulated mandi in the transaction of agro-commodities and its relation to mandi hinterland. Primary and secondary sources of data have been generated from Dhanipur regulated mandi and its hinterland villages of Aligarh district. Study shows that trends and patterns of mandi arrival have increased in the sampled mandi, thus indicate the expansion of mandi area its role and sphere of influence in contemporary agro-marketing. The distance from the villages and the categories of the farmers determines market arrival in the market.

5 illus, 5 tables, 10 ref

022262   Diraviya Raj K;Patterson Edward J K (NO, Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, 44-Beach Road, Tuticorin-628 001, Email: diraviyam_raj@yahoo.co.in]) : Observations on the reproduction of Acropora corals along the Tuticorin coast of the Gulf of Mannar, Southeastern India. Indian J Mar Sci 2010, 39(2), 219-26.

Pattern of reproduction was studied in Acropora species along Tuticorin coast in the Gulf of Mannar from 2006-2008. Extensive surveys were conducted to monitor reproductive maturity and the timing of spawning. Gametes were observed from January with colonies releasing gametes by the end of March. Acropora cytherea showed immature colonies in January (48-79%) and February (56-76%) and mature colonies in March (36-86%). Likewise, the other species of Acropora examined showed 50-75% of immature colonies in January and an increase of 10-20% of immature colonies in February, and matured in March. The average percentage of mature colonies in March was as follows, A. formosa 47-76%, A. valenciennesi 50-81%, A. intermedia 50-81%, A. nobilis 25-82%, A. micropthalma 56-83%, A. hemprichi 39-83%, A. hyacinthus 33-100%, A. corymbosa 59-65%. Spawning was observed in A. cytherea on 24 March 2006, 10 days after full moon; 28 March in 2007, 5 days prior to full moon; and 8 March 2008, 1 day after new moon. Approximately 30,000 egg and sperm bundles were observed in 1 litre of water and each bundle had 20-25 eggs in A. cytherea. Environmental parameters, especially rise in temperature at the end of March was believed to play lead role in coral spawning.

7 illus, 8 tables, 29 ref

022261   Dey S;Barma C D;Sarkar P (Geography and Disaster Management Dep, Tripura Univ, Suryamaninagar-799 130) : Microgeomorphic analysis in "Greyscale environment": an experimental study. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 223-30.

This study deals with an experiment of microgeomorphic analysis by high resolution greyscale image. A very small area of Tripura University campus has been selected for this study which is marked by soil erosion by runoff development. This area is now under massive land degradation which causes the removal of vegetation. Characteristically it is a smooth open land with slight undulation topography and can be viewed even from a very low resolution satellite image due to the higher reflectance value. For analysing the reflectance character of this land the DN values of different bands of high resolution images of this area has been consulted along with field data. Two very simple software have been used in the laboratory like 1LWIS 3.5 for image processing and ET 9.75 PRO (GIS supporting software) for mapping. On the basis of DN value the a map of run-off network has also been drawn. Finally for the analysis of land degradation unsupervised classification has been done. Here the high reflectivity is considered as non-degraded land and low reflectivity is considered as degraded land. In the conclusive part the drawback of this method also highlighted along with the advantages. Keywords: Greyscale image, Microgeomorphology, DN value, Reflectance, High resolution.

4 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

022260   Dey N (Undergraduate and Postgraduate Botany Dep, Darjeeling Govt. College, Darjeeling-734 101) : Microflora of Darjeeling Himalaya. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 220-2.

An initiation have been taken to assess the green microflpra of hilly regions of Darjeeling mainly the blue green algae. Specimens were collected from two localities and studied. Twenty different genera of algae were identified from six families of blue green algae.

1 table, 6 ref

022259   Chattoraj K K (NO, , Basantapur (Amtala More). P.O-Arambagh. Dist.- Hooghly, West Bengal-712 601, Email: kke_r@hotmail.com) : Growth and fertility trend of population in West Bengal. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 97-102.

Aims to analyse the population growth of West Bengal, the trend of fertility and some important determinants of fertility have also been focused. Growth rate of population of West Bengal shows a decreasing trend but due to undocumented Bangladeshi immigration absolute number of growth reached 80.1 million (2001) and it is a stale with highest density. 904 persons per sq. K.M. Trend of fertility is analysed with the help of three standard measures namely Crude Birth rate(CBR), Age Specific fertility Rate(ASFR) and Total Fertility Rate (TFR). The fertility transition in West Bengal had started well before independence but major shift occurred in the 1990s demarcated with a sharp decline in Fertility Rate. But variation of socio-economic condition in rural and urban areas causes a wide gap of fertility performance between two areas. Urban fertility reached its replacement level whereas rural fertility is almost two decades behind the urban fertility level in a same state. Fertility determinants of West Bengal are broadly classified into four broad heads, namely Biological, Social, Economic and Demographic determinants. Among these determinants, six factors have strong influence on fertility behaviour. Calculated value of correlation co-efficient shows that the strong negative relationship is present between Crude Birth rate (CBR) on the onehand with age at marriage, literacy and education, especially female education, women work participation rate and Degree of Urbanization on the other; but CBR is positively related with infant mortality and Average Household Size. The mortality level of the West Bengal is comparable with developed realms but fertility level did not touch the low stationary level matching with the mortality level. An effective population policy relating with socio-economic aspects and Government-people co-operation can push the state population to the final phase of demographic transition within a short period of some 10/12 years.

5 tables, 10 ref

022258   Chatterjee N (Geography Dep, Presidency College, Kolkata, West Bengal) : Laterite terrains of the Chotanagpur plateau fringe region [Case study of the Mayurakshi basin, Eastern India]. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 115-32.

Lateritic terrains constitute integral parts of the Mayurakshi Basin in Jharkhand and West Bengal. They have developed over all geological types ranging from Archaeans, Rajmahal Traps, Tertiaries to Old Alluvium. The laterites vary from compact, vermicular types to loose, gravelly layers. Most extensive development has taken place over the Old Alluvium surface. The author has carried out detailed investigations to highlight the nature of these laterite surfaces and the landforms developed upon them. Most laterite caps depict gently sloping to undulating surfaces. They arc either under afforestation schemes or remain as barren lands.

8 illus, 6 tables, 11 ref

022257   Barreto M S;Jagtap K B (National Chemical laboratory, , Pashan, Pune-411 005) : Get quality blooms of gerbera in greenhouse. Indian Hort 2009, 54(3), 24-5.

The malformations in gerbera flowers like bull's head, incomplete opening of petals (ray florets) and stem break are most common problems faced by its growers. The hunger signs in gerbera help keep a proper check on various growth stages and supervise changes in fertilizer dosage. The irrigation schedules and amount of water to be given are prerequisites. Cultivation in sterilized soil reduces the incidence of Phytophthora, Botrytis and wilt. Tricoderma drenching and NPV (nuclearpolyhedrovirus) sprays help control Spodoptera litura and mites. Timely intervention is crucial for successful production of gerbera in open-ventilated polyhouse. The treatment combination consisting of peat + vermicompost (1:1) is good for getting quality flowers.

1 table

022256   Asthana S P;Mondal M K (Geography Dep, D.A.V. Collage, C.S.J.M. Univ, Kanpur, U.P.) : Ichhamati basin, W.B. transformation of agricultural productivity. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 145-56.

Among complex problems of our country, agriculture emerged as fundamental problems. The two basic problems are: One is to face the growing demand for food and other agricultural product by the ever-increasing population. Second is to reduce the widespread real poverty in rural area because it is inversely related to agricultural production. Thus, by increasing the level of agricultural productivity both purposes can be solved. The scientific ideas of productivity patterns and the factors generated them can help to improve agricultural production through development programs. Present study is concerned with the identification and analyses of regional transformation (1981 - 2005) of agricultural productivity of the Ichhamati basin area and will also try to provide guidelines for sustainable development.

3 illus, 2 table, 13 ref

022255   Agrawal M (Geography Dep, M.M.V., B.H.U., Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh) : Identification of erosion surfaces in Jabalpur plateau. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 81-92.

Erosion surfaces mean uniform skylines at different elevations showing breaks in the monotony in every belt of varying dimensions. The area of study is situated in the south - eastern part of Jabalpur district, M.P., India. It constitutes a part of Satpura and Bhitrigarh uplands and roughly covers an area of 980 Sq miles, (2508 Sq Kms) Fig 1. The entire area is divided in three physiographic units :- 1 Narmada plain 2. Bhitrigarh upland and 3. Satpura upland. Here various erosional platforms are situated at various levels. Therefore the distribution of area under each altitudinal zone has become very uneven. These erosion surfaces are identified here with the help of various area - height relations and superimposed and projected profiles. These diagrams are further correlated with Physiographic map and Geological map of the area. Thus following erosion surfaces are identified, viz, Pre-Cambrian Erosion surfaces, Upper Jurassic Erosion surfaces, Upper Cretaceous Erosion surfaces, Upper Cretaceous to Eocene Erosion Surfaces or Deccan Trap Erosion surfaces, Lateritic Erosion surface and Pleistocene erosion surface.

3 tables, 12 ref

022254    (NO, NATMO, Govt. of India, India, Email: prithvishnag@hotmail.com) : Transformation of national mapping agences: the case of India. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2008, 31(1), 1-6.

Concerns a study on the need of transformation of national mapping agency in response to the demand from various agencies/communities in India. The National Mapping Agency i.e. Survey of India, the premier National Mapping Agency (NMA) of government of India has contributed immensely for the development of our country in various ways. This author has discussed the related aspects in terms of new initiatives, mission, aims, transformed goals etc. mentioning the problems - products, human resource development, organisational structure and business strategy. In fine, the relevant suggestion are presented by this author.

17 ref

018989   Yadav D K;Naresh Kumar;Paul A (NO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun-248 001, Email: yadavdk@wihg.res.in) : Recent seismicity and stress pattern in NW Himalaya. Himalayan Geol 2009, 30(2), 139-45.

Recent micro-seismicity and fault plane solutions (FPSs) of earthquakes show variable tectonic deformation in the India-Eurasia continent-continent collision Zone. The seismicity data from 2004-2007 containing earthquakes in the magnitude range 1.0-4.9 was divided into three parts to observe the tectonic behavior along major thrusts such as Main Central Thrust (MCT), Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) at different places in NW Himalaya. The recent and earlier seismicity shows three clusters of events along these major faults and small lineaments, first cluster is located in Kangra-Chamba region (epicenter zone of great M8.0 Kangra earthquake of 1905), second cluster is in the Garhwal region, and the third cluster is in Kumaon - Dharchula region of NW Himalaya. FPSs are determined for the earthquakes having at least 10 P-wave first motion polarities and accurate station azimuthal coverage. The P-T axes obtained from these FPSs are plotted on a focal sphere to observe the P-T axes distribution. Most of the P-axes of cluster-I are concentrated near the periphery indicating thrust faulting with majority of P-axes trending NNE. In cluster-II, FPSs of 14 events indicates that most of the deformation was caused due to thrust and strike-slip movements, where P-axes are concentrated near periphery. The Stress tensor inversion of these fault plane solutions (FPSs) indicate the stress regime prevailing in these sectors. Cluster-I indicate dominant NNE directed compressive stress regime which may be correlated with the prevailing stress condition due northward movement of Indian Plate. However in cluster-II the maximum compressive stress (Paxis) is directed along NW direction, which may be due to two compressive regimes in this region. In the western part of this cluster, one of these two compressive regimes is developed due to the MBT and Panjal Thrust (PT) that exerts force to NNE direction while the other regime is due to Rampur Window (RW) and HHC (Higher Himalayan Crystalline) that are exerting force towards SW. As a result whole of this study indicate that the resultant compressive stress is towards NW direction in the region between Shimla and Dehradun.

7 illus, 30 ref

018988   Thakur V C;Jayangondaperumal R;Suresh N (NO, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun-248 001, Email: thakurvc@wihg.res.in) : Late Quaternary-Holocene fold and landform generated by morphogenic earthquakes in Chandigarh anticlinal ridge in Panjab Sub Himalaya. Himalayan Geol 2009, 30(2), 103-13.

Pinjor dun is an intermontane valley within the Sub Himalaya of Panjab lying between the rivers Satluj and Ghaggar. The dun is bounded to south by the Frontal Siwalik Range (FSR) and to north by the Inner Siwalik Range (ISR). The FSR is made of an anticlinal ridge, trending northwest - southeast, of folded upper Siwalik strata. The southern margin of the FSR is marked by an abrupt topographic and tectonic break against the Panjab alluvial plains along the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT). The HFT was initiated, south of the Nalagarh Thrust (NT), representing southward propagation of the decollement referred as Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) sometime between 0.5 Ma and 0.1 Ma. The Chandigarh anticline was formed as a fault-bend fold over the HFT. The anticline is asymmetric, the forelimb on the southern flank has long terraced streams and mature compared to the back limb on the northern flank with deeply incised short streams. The drainage pattern, incision of the landform and geometry of the structure indicates the presence of a blind back thrust and a fold scarp on the northern margin of the Chandigarh ridge. South of the HFT, a 10-15 km wide Piedmont Zone (PZ) has been formed with coalescing alluvial fans. The PZ has rolling topography with streams incised by a few meters and active deformation features. The Pinjor dun is interpreted to represent the continuation of the back limb of the anticline into the flat synformal depression of a piggy - back type basin. The dun is covered by post- Siwalik Dun formation consisting of sand, silt, mudstone and gravel of poorly to unconsolidated and horizontally bedded nature. The sediments were deposited on alluvial fans sourced from the hinterland Siwaliks and the Lesser Himalaya. The OSL ages of the Dun formation range more than 90 Ka to 20 Ka. Earthquakes breaking the surface have been reported along the HFT scarps in Holocene sediments near Chandigarh on the basis of palaeoseismological studies. The Chandigarh anticline and its ridge topography appear to have grown as a result of coseismic cumulative slip during late Quaternary-Holocene generated by repeated large earthquakes, with assumed average 5-10 m dip-slip and 1000 years recurrence interval.

9 illus, 45 ref

018987   Thakur A;Munendra Singh;Singh I B (Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226 007, Email: smunendra@gmail.com) : Fluvial incision of the Gomati River in the Ganga Plain, India: its implications. Himalayan Geol 2009, 30(2), 115-22.

Nine hundred km long Gomati River (an alluvial river of the Ganga Plain) drains about 30,437 km^{2 area and flows through an incised valley before meeting the Ganga River. Incision of the Gomati River and its valley has been studied using characteristics of longitudinal profile, escarpment heights, valley morphology and channel sediment characteristics. Longitudinal profile of the Gomati River runs from 186 to 62 m above mean sea level and shows three prominent breaks in slope. The conspicuous convexity in the profile is located above the sub-surface Faizabad Ridge and may be related to the movement along this ridge. The downstream increasing trend of escarpment heights of the both river margins is primarily related to incision of the river and controlled by the lowering of base level of the Ganga River. Downstream wave-like variation in average escarpment height reveals undulating topography with prominent upwarps and downwarps attributed to the compressional tectonics of the Ganga Plain. The Gomati River provides the expression of base level linked (2 to 10 m deep) fluvial incision associated with the Ganga River, and tectonically-driven (6 to 15 m deep) incision is connected with intra-basinal tectonics of the Ganga Plain Foreland Basin. Teh tectonic-driven incision is younger and superimposed over the base level-linked incision. The role of climate-derived factors in fluvial incision is subordinate and not easy to evaluate.}

7 illus, 29 ref