013205   Mohapatra S N;Pani P (Centre of Remote Sensing & GIS, SOS in Earth Science, Jiwaji Univ, Gwalior) : Mapping and assessment of land degradation using NDVI techniques in a part of chambal valley. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 155-60.

Land degradation processes and its factors vary in space and time. One of the major problematic geomorphic entities of India are the area of had land and ravines of Chambal Valley which covers a vast area of Madhya Pradesh. Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Advance techniques & tools like remote sensing techniques have tremendous potential to extract the various landform features mainly very useful for the inaccessible terrain such as the badlands. The use of satellite images, generally a combination of PAN and multispectral bands have been used as a base for geomorphological mapping for inaccessible terrain by various workers. In the present paper an attempt has been made to map and extract the landform features from such inaccessible terrain through remote sensing. The study area belongs to the part of Chambal Valley towards South of Dhaulpur to Morena along the Chambal river where the ravine is very severe in nature. Geomorphic features as well as various ravine units have been mapped using the IRS-1D, LISS-111 False Colour Composite (FCC) and PAN Data. The satellite image characteristics of such features have been identified and assessed. On the basis of NDV1 values and associated field data, four different erosion prone classes showing different intensity of land degradation within the ravenous zone were marked. About 70 percent of the ravenous area fails into moderately degraded and highly degraded land. It is concluded that the 99.32 sq km area of the ravenous zone which was demarcated as moderately degraded land needs immediate attention for proper land use management for the future as it is affecting the marginal lands and agriculture lands severely. The paper highlights the use of modern tools like Remote Sensing and GIS in the land degradation studies.

4 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

013204   Matchavariani L (Geography Dep, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Tbilisi State Univ (TSU), 0128, Tbilisi, Georgia, Email: likageotsu@hotmail.com) : Time factor in soils of Georgia-mirror or memory of landscapes?. J envir Biol 2012, 33(2;suppl), 393-400.

Geographic pattern of soils in mountainous region of Georgia is presented. Time is considered as one of the most important factors of soil formation in mountain areas. The age of soil cover in the areas above 1000-1200 m a.s.l. is less than 10,000-12,000 yr b.p. These soils are considered as young component of landscape. In the landscapes below this level soils do not correspond to modern ecological conditions. We can confirm that in Georgia higher than 1000-1200 m asl soils correspond to ecological conditions and they are mirror of landscapes, as one of the most important postulates of soil science. In other case, we can talk about soils memory-distorted mirror of landscapes. For diagnosing of relic features (pedogenic and lithogenic) in soils of Georgia the micromorphological method is used. The majority of landscapes in Georgia are heavily used for agriculture and suffer from high instability. These landscapes are very fragile today, characterized by high soil erosion and strong pollution with heavy metals and radionuclides.

3 illus, 1 table, 16 ref

013203   Marh B S (Geography Dep, Himachal Pradesh Univ, Summer Hill, Shimla) : Landslide-induced lakes in the himalaya: case studies from the Satluj Valley. Indian J Geomorph 2011, 16(1-2), 139-49.

8 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

013202   Mandal D K (Geography & Applied Geography Dep, North Bengal Univ, West Bengal, Email: dkmandal_geo@yahoo.co.in) : Mapping of drainage systems in eastern Doon valley area based on remotely sensed digital data and GIS tools. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 727-36.

Rivers in Doon Valley have played a fundamental role in the lives, history and culture of the people and their civilization for thousands of years. These rivers provide irrigation, potable water and fish stocks supporting thousands of livelihoods all over Doon Valley. Water from the rivers is a basic natural resource, essential for various human activities; Dehra Dun's rivers' banks have accordingly attracted settlers since antiquity. The largest of these settlements became regionally and internationally known urban centres of commerce and culture whose fame has survived over centuries. The invention of Remote Sensing and OIS has opened new vistas in the field of geoscientific studies, viz. identification of drainage system, landform mapping, geological mapping, ground water targeting, mineral exploration, geo-hazard studies, etc. The use of aerial photographs and satellite imagery is known for visualizing the landscape since time immemorial. In the present study, the synoptic view provided by the satellite imagery helps in understanding and correlating various drainage systems, landforms, which cannot be readily observed from the ground due to limited range of observation.

3 illus, 31 ref

013201   Lakshmi M;Rasheed M A;Madhavi T;Kalpana M S; Patil D J;Dayal A M (Microbiology laboratory, National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR), Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500 007, Email: lakshmi.kirla1220@gmail.com) : Charaterization of light gaseous hydrocarbons of the surface soils of Krishna-Godavari basin, India. J envir Biol 2012, 33(1), 67-79.

Several techniques are used for the exploration of hydrocarbons, of which; the geochemicaftechniques involving the microbiological technique use the principle of detecting the light hydrocarbon seepage activities for indication of sub-surface petroleum accumulations. Asurvey was carried out to characterize the light gaseous hydrocarbons seeping in oil and gas fields of Krishna-Godavari basin of Andhra Pradesh. Aset of 50 sub-soil samples were collected at depths of about 3 m for geochemical analyses and 1 m for microbiological analysis. The microbial prospecting studies showed the presence of high bacterial population for methane 2.5 x 10² to 6.0 x 10⁶cfu g^-1, propane 1 x10² to 8.0 x 10⁶cfu g^-1 in soil samples. The adsorbed soil gas analysis showed the presence of moderate to low concentrations of methane (26 to 139 ppb), ethane (0 to 17 ppb), propane (0 to 8 ppb), butane (0 to 5 ppb) and pentane (0 to 2 ppb) in the soil samples of the study area. Carbon isotope analysis for methane (¹³C₁) ranging from -36.6 to -22.7%o Pee Dee Belemnite (PDB) suggests these gases are of thermogenic origin. Geo-microbial prospecting method coupled with adsorbed soil gas and carbon isotope ratio analysis have thus shown good correlation with existing oil/ gas fields of Krishna-Godavari basin.

4 tables, 14 illus, 13 ref

013200   Kundu S;Roy C;Mondal A (Water Resources Development & Management, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, Uttarakhand) : Land use/land cover dynamics: an analytical approach using satellite data in Howrah district, West Bengal. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 425-38.

The study incorporates the use of Remote Sensing and GIS in the analysis of the land use/land cover change of Howrah district of West Bengal, on a spatio-temporal basis from the Landsat images of 1973 to 2010. Main objective here is to detect the change in land cover that has been occurring in the district in terms of land utilization in order to estimate the changes with population growth and consequent resource crisis. Howrah, situated on the bank of river Hoogly (22° 12' 58" N to 22° 46' 55" N and 88° 22' 10"E to 87° 50' 45" E), has two sub-divisions and fourteen C.D. blocks. The 2001 census data shows the total population of the district as 4273099, which means there has been an increase of population by more than 20,00,000 during the last three decades (1970-2001). This huge growth of population has created tremendous pressure on land, impact of which is significantly visible from the change in land use and land cover. Four Landsat Images of 1973 (MSS), 1990 (TM), 2000 (ETM+) and 2010 (TM) have been taken to consider and evaluate the change in the area within this span of around 37 years. Images have been classified digitally with the Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) technique which are verified and validated by the process of accuracy assessment. Six land use categories are made namely, water body, dense vegetation, light vegetation, agricultural land, wetland and built-up area. Accuracy assessment is done (Producer, User Accuracy and Kappa coefficient) on the images which indicate a satisfactory percentage of overall accuracy. Therefore, it is evident from the classified images of four decades that there is urban expansion at the cost of other land use categories like vegetation, agriculture and wetland.

6 illus, 5 tables, 26 ref

013199   Kundu S K (NO, Jindighee High School (H.S.), Sagardighi, Murshidabad, W.B.) : Impact of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Program (MGNREGP) on socio-economic condition of rural people: a case study of Sanakpur village in Mayureswar-1 block, Birbhum district, West Bengal. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 457-62.

In present day context rural development including employment generation and poverty alleviation is a major concern for a country like India. For such purpose National Rural Employment Guarantee Program (NREGP) has been introduced in rural India since February 2006. Later it was renamed as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Program (MGNREGP) on 3 1st December, 2009. The present study is an attempt to highlight the socio-economic condition of MGNREGP beneficiaries and to find out its relevance in poverty alleviation as well as rural development. The study is based on primary data collected from 100 randomly selected MGNREGP beneficiaries' households in Sanakpur village in Mayureswar-1 block of Birbhum district, West Bengal. From socio-economic point of view the MGNREGP does not ensure a significant improvement in societal condition of rural poor people. But the success of MGNREGP lies in the fact that it creates a better employment opportunity for rural poor people and enables them to access better working condition and wages.

7 tables, 5 ref

013198   Kuiry S;Mahata M K (Geography Univ Dep, Ranchi Univ, Ranchi (Jharkhand), Email: somu.pallibe@gamil.com) : Purulia district: river system and water resources. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 271-8.

The present paper deals with of the river system and water resources of the district of Purulia. Water is the source of life to human beings, animals, vegetations and agricultural crops. This district possesses a number of perennial and non-perennial rivers and the waters of these rivers are going to be used here for various purposes such as domestic consumption to towns and villages, agriculture and industrial establishments. This paper also deals with the descriptions of the relations between river system and geomorphology of the districts.

3 ref

013197   Koul M N;Ganjoo R K (Institute of Himalayan Glaciology, Jammu Univ, Jammu-180 006) : Geomorphology and hazards of glacial and peri-glacial terrain of NW Himalaya: an overview. Indian J Geomorph 2011, 16(1-2), 97-110.

9 illus, 2 tables, 21 ref

013196   Korkmaz H;Cetin B;Kuscu V;Ege I;Bom A;Ozsahin E;Karatas A (Geography Dep, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Mustafa Kemal Univ, 31040, Antakya, Hatay, Turkey, Email: hkokmaz69@gmail.com) : Temporal changes of land use in Ari river delta (Hatay, southern Turkey). J envir Biol 2012, 33(2;suppl), 463-73.

Increasing non-ecological land use necessitates more efficient using and utilization of land by man. Therefore, in recent years studies on sustainable land use have gained momentum, in this study, temporal change in land use, mainly between years 1940 and 2010, in Asi river delta on Southern Turkey was covered. To this end, in addition to literature, topographical maps and satellite images from year 1940 and after were used. Also, data were collected through field studies and interviews. Collected data were evaluated from geographical viewpoint using Geographical information system (GIS) and Remote sensing (RS) methods. Unplanned settlement in delta has reached levels high enough to threaten agricultural fields. Especially, great tendency shown by Samandag city and the villages around it towards expanding into delta is an indicator of this threat. In addition, uncontrolled sand mining and touristic facilities on the coastline are also indicators of wrong land use. In future, direction of settlement to slopes around the delta rather than lowlands will be a much more ecological approach.

10 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

013195   Kale V S (Geography Dep, Pune Univ, Pune-411 007) : Application of DEMS to macroscale geomorphology: the reemergence of geomorphometry. Indian J Geomorph 2011, 16(1-2), 67-78.

6 illus, 34 ref

013194   Hussein N R;Gharib S M (National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, El-Anfoshy-Kayet Bay, Alexandria, 215 56, Egypt, Email: gharibsamiha@hotmail.com) : Studies on spatio-temporal dynamics of phytoplankton in El-Umum drain in West of Alexandria, Egypt. J envir Biol 2012, 33(1), 101-5.

Phytoplankton was assessed quantitatively and qualitatively in regard to their abundance in the northern part of El-Umum drain, west of Alexandria at four stations to study the spatial, temporal, dominance and abundance of the phytoplankton community. The samples were collected monthly from April 2003 to April 2004. A total of 152 phytoplankton taxa were identified belonging to Bacillariophyceae (60), Chlorophyceae (46), Cyanophyceae (20), Euglenophyceae (17) and Dinophyceae (9). A limited number of these were recorded throughout the year, and showed an indication of organic pollution. The total densities (333.8x10³units I^-1) were mainly a reflection of the trends in counts of Bacillariophyceae and Chlorophyceae (138.1 x 10³ and 131.6 x 10³ units 1^-1, respectively). Monthly differences in the quantitative (18 x 10³ to 1645 x 10³units 1^-1) and qualitative composition (41 to 113 taxa) of the phytoplankton communities in the different stations were marked, with recurrent high abundance in spring (910.4 x10 units I^-1), whereas lowest densities occurred in autumn (99.7x10³ units l^-1). Cyanophyceae was most abundant in July (67.5 x10³ units l^-1), whereas Euglenophyceae in December (32.0x10 units I^-1). Species diversity (H') gave a signal of the area is light to moderate polluted. The present study emphasized the need to use phytoplankton community as index of water quality.

1 illus, 3 tables, 30 ref

013193   Haque S M (Geography Dep, Calcutta Univ, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata-700 019) : Three dimensional urban expansion of Kolkata metropolitan city in the dynamics of land cover & land use practices: a case study of ward no. 75, KMC. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 349-64.

Metropolitan urban unit has some unique identities and it focuses various types of land use heterogeneity. Urban built up area is such type heterogeneous land utilization practices. Rapid population growth within the compact urban area of a metropolitan region develops this built up structures in both vertical as well as horizontal direction. That is why urban expansion of a metropolitan centre shows three dimensional changes of the built up area within the three dimensional land use practices (Shen, Y. et al. - 2011). Vertical expansion means the increases of the building height and horizontal expansion alters the coverage area of built up structures. There are various studies about the metropolitan expansion; their works are basically on the two dimensional expansion. They have only been considered the ground coverage of the urban built up area. But modern metropolises are experiencing both vertical as well as horizontal extension of the urban structures rapidly. So, there is a huge gap in the systematic study of the three dimensional (3-D) expansion of metropolitan area. This paper shows this three dimensional changes of the built up area of a relatively long existing region of the metropolitan urban centre of Kolkata. The quantification of the 3-D urban expansion is to be relevant for the local area development and decision making.

4 illus, 2 tables, 32 ref

013192   Gupta S;Sarkar G (Geography Dep, PCMM, Kolkata, West Bengal) : Morphometric analysis of drainage basin case study-Gandheshwari river basin, a tributery of Rdarakeswar, Bankura, West Bengal, India. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(1), 195-200.

Fluvial morphometry has taken into consideration for R Gandheshwari basin which is a tributary of R Darakeswar. This river basin represents some specific character of river morphometry. This paper has been gone through different morphometric analysis, like stream ordering, bifurcation ratio, stream number, relative relief, absolute relief, drainage density, ruggedness index, di-section index, average slope, massiveness index. etc.

8 ref

013191   Guha S;Paul A K (Geography Dep, Sishutirha Sukanta Vidyaniketan for Girls', Birati, west Bengal) : Promotion of coastal tourism and recreation in the south-western parts of sundarban economic prosperity and development of local communities and improvements of coastal environment. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 67-80.

The study deals with the geographical issues of coastal tourism in Sundarban. The sea beaches, sand dunes, mangroves and various tidal channels are the attractive sites of tourism destinations. The coastal tract of Sundarban is usually affected by different hazards that have created some disturbances on the traditional agricultural and fishing economies of the people. Promotion of coastal tourism can support the economic option for the benefit of hazard affected people in the Sundarban.

4 ref

013190   Guha S;Mondal A;Mishra P K;Kundu S (Geography Dep, Rammohan College, Kolkata (West Bengal)) : Morphological parameter estimation of a hilly catchment using geoinformatics: an analytical approach. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 307-20.

Drainage pattern study applying remote sensing and geographical information system techniques has proved to be a very competent and significant tool for delineation, demarcation, sustainable planning, and management of water resources in a river basin. In the present study, morphological features of 'Dhauliganga' drainage basin are being extracted using satellite imagery and analyzed for assessing the drainage pattern. The basin morphometric parameters such as linear, relief and areal aspects were determined and computed using Arclnfo software. The study area is a hilly catchment of the lower Himalayan range situated in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It covers an area of 3017.68 km2 and extends between 30ol6'12"N to 31o00'00"N latitude and 79o33'36"E to 80o 15'00"E longitude. The study, finally, concludes that it is easier and efficient in utilizing RS and GIS techniques in inaccessible hilly catchment for the morphometric analysis. A total number of 10125 streams were identified of which 7792 are 1st order streams, 1839 are 2nd order. 396 are 3rd order. 75 in 4th order, 18 in 5th order. 4 in 6th order and one is indicating 7th order streams. Drainage patterns of stream network from the basin have been observed as mainly dendritic type which indicates the homogeneity in texture and lack of structural control. The value of mean bifurcation ratio is 4.47. shows that the basin confirms to the characteristics of a natural stream which indicates that the geological structures arc less disturbing to the drainage pattern. The drainage density of the study area is 2.10 km/sq. km indicating low drainage density, suggesting coarser drainage pattern with highly permeable subsoil and thick vegetal cover. Stream frequency value of 3.36 indicates the geomorphologically youth stage of cycle of erosion. The elongation ratio, form factor and circulatory ratio of the study area is 0.75. 0.44 and 0.23 respectively, reveals that the basin is strongly elongated in shape with high level of integration.

5 illus, 3 tables, 16 ref

013189   Goswami D C (NO, Gauhati Univ, Guwahati-781 014) : Mountain river system of the Eastern Himalayas with special refernece to the Brahmaputra river: a geoenvironmental profile. Indian J Geomorph 2011, 16(1-2), 45-9.

6 ref

013188   Gianni A;Kehayias G;Zacharias I (Environmental and Natural Resources Management Dep, Ioannina Univ, 2 Seferi Str., 30100 Agrinio, Greece, Email: izachari@cc.uoi.gr) : Temporal and spatial distribution of physico-chemical parameters in an anoxic lagoon, Aitoliko, Greece. J envir Biol 2012, 33(1), 107-114.

Temporal and spatial distribution of physico-chemical and water quality parameters and their correlation with meteorological and hydrological data, was investigated for anoxic lagoons, in Greece. Monthly variations of parameters like temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a, total phosphorus efc., along the Aitoliko lagoon water column, were recorded and studied at 14 stations. Throughout the sampling period, in lagoon's water column three layers were determined: the surface low density layer (11.49-16.15), the layer with the steep density gradient and the deep dense (19.78-20.62) water below the depth of 20 m. The depth of the surface and pycnocline layers depends on seasonal surface salinity (20.53-22.43%o) and temperature (12.48-28.40°C) alterations. Lagoon's monimolimnion was extended, below the depth of 20 m and had constant temperature and salinity equal to about 13°C and 27%o respectively. Meteorological conditions control temperature (R²=0.845) and dissolved oxygen (R²=0.576) monthly changes, in lagoon's epilimnion, while salinity seems to be related with the salt/fresh water budget into Aitoliko lagoon. Epilimnetic chlorophyll-a (3.29-14.89 μg I^-1) and total phosphorus (13.33-36.31 μg I^-1) concentrations classify Aitoliko lagoon as a mesotrophic environment (40<60>TSI (Chl-a)<60>55,40<60>TSl (TP)<60>60). The vertical distribution of dissolved oxygen in the water column was always of special interest. During the last decades the Aitoliko lagoon was reported as a permanent anoxic basin. The depth of the anoxic layer gradually decreased and reached 5 m depth during 2003-2004. In the present study, the anoxic layer was limited below the depth of 18 m during summer. The most interesting is the dissolved oxygen presence in lagoon's monimolimnion during January and February, 2007. In this study, for the first time, Aitoliko lagoon was reported as seasonal anoxic basin.

2 illus, 5 tables, 30 ref

013187   Ganju A;Thakur N K (NO, Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment, Chandigarh) : Avalanche threat evaluation and mitigation strategy in Western Himalayan region, India. Indian J Geomorph 2011, 16(1-2), 125-38.

5 illus, 1 table, 32 ref

013186   Ganju A (NO, Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment, Chandigarh) : Snow avalanche and other mountain hazards in Western Himalaya: prediction and control. Indian J Geomorph 2011, 16(1-2), 29-43.

8 illus, 20 ref

013185   Efe R;Soykan A;Curebal I;Sonmez S (Geography Dep, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Balikesir Univ, 10145 Balikesir-Turkey, Email: recepefe@hotmail.com) : Land use and land cover change detection in Karinca river catchment (NW Turkey) using GIS and RS techniques. J envir Biol 2012, 33(2;suppl), 439-47.

The basin of Karinca river, in the north-west of Turkey, covers an area of 29,840 ha. Pronounced changes in land use emerged as a result of the development of activities in the tourism sector in Turkey in the 1970's, The basin has been significantly affected in the course of this process. This study was conducted in order to determine the land use changes (as well as the type of changes and their direction) occurring in the use of land in the Karinca river catchment for the period 1979-2007. The geographical data were gathered by using 1:25000 scale topographical maps as a basis. Thus, the existing soil and land use data from 1979 were processed on these bases and the the main materials rendering the land use were produced. Geometric verification was made by putting the previously prepared bases onto landsat ETM+ and satellite images of 2007. In the final stage, results pertaining to the changes in land use were obtained by overlapping the two sets of data. All processes were done using the ArcGIS Desktop v9.x program. According to the data of the year 1979, the catchment area consisted of 43.4% forest, 26.5% grassland, 18.3% olive groves, 10.6% agriculture and 1.2% built-up lands. Comparing these coverage with the data of 2007, show a clear shift among residential areas, olive groves and forest terrain. It was found that the agricultural areas, particularly along the shoreline, were converted into resort houses and that the olive groves (the dominant land use) shifted from lower regions to its upper sectors. All these changes caused loss of natural habitats leading to degradation.

7 illus, 4 tables, 22 ref

013184   Dutta K;Chakraborty S (Presidency Univ, Erstwhile Presidency College, Kolkata) : Geomorphic status of the Neora-Murti interfluve zone: an approach to morphogenetic analysis Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(1), 307-18.

A considerable number of big, moderate and small channels are traversing through the north Bengal plain which are primarily emerging from Darjiling and Sikkim Himalayas and have significant geomorphic impact on the evolution of the plain. All these big and moderate rivers are partially snow fed and have marked seasonal variation of volume and discharge. The big rivers are carrying large volume of load from Himalayan Mountain and also displaying noticeable characteristics in long and cross profile. The small streams are usually over-active in rainy season and frequently discharge uncountable volume of water and sediment load which are primarily responsible for channel-bed and bank configuration. The study area covers the region between the rivers Neora and Murti, in parts of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal. It represents a zone of transition between the Himalayan Mountains and the Gangetic plains, and displays the typical characteristics of the Himalayan foothills. This part of the foothill zone located to the east of Teesta River is known as the Duars. Which is also one of the significant interfluve zone and are significant with respect to geomorphic orientation and fluvial dynamics. Varieties of landform are observed in the studied region and these are particularly characterized by multi-level relief and topography, aspects of slope and litho-tectonic events in relation to fluvial environment.

8 illus, 4 tables, 23 ref

013183   De S K;Jamatia M (Geography and Disaster Management Dep, Tripura Univ, Suryamaninagar, Tripura) : Landslide hazard zonation in relation to some physical parameters: a case study on the hilly tract of the Balasan basin of Darjeeling Himalayas, India. Indian J Geomorph 2011, 16(1-2), 111-24.

7 illus, 7 tables, 40 ref

013182   Das T (Geography Dep, Birpara College, West Bengal) : Spatio-temporal analysis of riverne wetland vulnerability-a case study on 'Srimati' river of Kaliyaganj block, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 49-56.

Wetlands are areas which have presence of water and water saturated soil either permanently or for a part of the year. Wetlands are many types & one of them is Riverne Wetland, it means permanent rivers & streams including some charland, temporary seasonal rivers & streams. The SRIMATI which is a Riverne Wetland, has a significant role in local ecosystem & bio-diversity. It was providing habitat for the thousands of species of plants & animals, yielding foods, iplaying an important role in regulating water cycle, ground water recharge & mitigating pollution. The SRITMATI has multiple use values, which become obscured by wrong assessment or adoption of developing the measures. The growing agricultural practice, urbanization, route construction, Heavy silt deposition etc make the SRIMATI river as a sink and vulnerable. At present the loss of SRIMATI leads to environmental and ecological problems, which have a direct impact on the socio-economic benefits of the associated populace. Serious consequences including increasement of flood,species decline, deformity or extinction and decline in water quality arethe result of it. The disappearance of this natural resource results on the biodiversity. So depletion of SRIMATI is a big problem & growing concern to conserve them & establishing values on the vulnerable SRIMATI in respect of preservation, conservation and utilization. For the purpose of preservation we need a continuous information in both past & present character of riverne wetlands. The study reveals potential impact of human beings on vulnerable riverne wetlands and identified problems which creates by human activities and also assessment of several. Variables of the structural elements of the riverne wetland(srimati river). The growing agricultural practice and chocking due to urbanization and rural settlement extension, road construction, afforestation are the major concern now here and to be dealt with care while planning makes for development.

2 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

013181   Chopra N (Geography Dep, National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune-411 023) : Remote sensing data in soil resource mapping of the Southern part of Sonbhadra district. U.P.: a case study. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 145-54.

Intimate knowledge of the kind of soils their spatial distribution is a prerequisite in developing rational land use plan for agriculture, forestry, irrigation, drainage etc. Soil resource inventory provides an insight into the potentialities and limitation of soil for its effective exploitation. The study area, a part of Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh lies south of the river Son is particularly backward in development. And, agriculture, unlike in plains is not easy and profitable because of unfavourable terrain conditions and scarcity of water. Hence, need was felt for preparation of resource data base in terms of the kinds of soils so as to serve as input for planning the utilisation and management of land for all-round economic development. With the aforementioned aim, soil mapping of the study area was carried out using monoscopic visual interpretation of 1RS-1A (LISS-II) standard False Colour Composites (FCCs) on 1:50,000 scale of Feb 1991 consisting of 14 scenes for identification of different soil types, based on various image characteristics. Along with data of February 1991, multi-temporal data of April 1990, September 1991 and November 1991 has been used for the purpose of standardising the interpretation key: Secondary data in the form of Survey of India (SOI) topographical maps on 1:50,000 scale (of as many no.'s as FCC's on similar scale) covering the entire study area were used to prepare base maps. Finally, Soil Map of the entire study area on 1: 50,000 scale has been prepared showing location and spatial distribution of the various taxonomic units. The soils identified have been classified into 3 orders, 4 sub orders, 4 great groups, 7 sub groups and 7 Taxonomic Units. The entire data has been digitised into GIS (ARC INFO) and the extent of area under each soil type obtained in terms of sq.kms. and as simple percentage of the total geographical area of study. The study demonstrates the importance of Remote Sensing data in the preparation of such soil resource inventories.

2 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

013180   Chauhan V;Singh O P;Pandey U;Singh B;Arrora B R;rawat G;Pathan B M;Sinha A K;Sharma A K;Patil A V (Faculty of Engineering & Technology, R B S College, Bichpuri, Agra-283 105, Email: vishalparam84@gamil.com) : Search for precursors of earthquakes from multi-station ULF observations and TEC measurements in India. Indian J Radio Space Phys 2012, 41(5), 543-56.

Ground based observations have been carried out for ultra low frequency (ULF) precursors of earthquakes at four different stations in India, namely Agra (geographic lat 27°N, long 78°E), Guttu (lat 31.53°N, long 78.75°E), Shillong (lat 25.92°N, long 91.88°E) and Kolhapur (lat 16.40°N, long 74.15°E) using identical 3-component search coil magnetometers (f = 0.01-30 Hz) obtained from Lviv Centre of Space Research, Ukraine. An offline analysis of the combined data has been carried out in relation to a major earthquake of magnitude M=7.9 occurred in the neighbouring country China (lat 31°N, long 103.32°E, depth=19 km) under the National Program of Earthquakes Precursors (NPEP) launched in India since May 2009. The results of the analysis show occurrence of amplitude anomalies as precursors whose amplitudes decrease with distance. The precursor periods range between 2 and 5 days and are large for the stations nearer to epicenter. A graphical determination of location of the epicenter has been found to be satisfactory with errors within 20.5%. Further, the total electron content (TEC) data obtained from a dual frequency GPS receiver at Agra station and global ionospheric maps (GMs) of TEC corresponding to the Wenchuan earthquake have also been analysed. The GIM TEC data have been analysed for five different locations which lie between Agra and the epicenter of the earthquake. The anomalies in TEC data are investigated by using quartile based statistical process. It has been found that GPS and GEM TEC data show anomalous depletions of 02-13 days before and anomalous enhancements of 03 -10 days prior to the occurrence of earthquake.

9 illus, 64 ref

013179   Chandrasekar N (Centre for Geotechnology, School of Technology, Manonmaniam Sundarnar Univ, Tirunelveli-627 012) : Formation of beach rocks in southern Tamil Nadu region. Indian J Geomorph 2011, 16(1-2), 1-18.

10 illus, 51 ref

013178   Bulliqi S;Isufi F;Ramadani I;Gashi G (Faculty of Mathematical-Natural Science, Prishtina Univ, Prishtina, 10 000 Kosovo, Email: shpejtim.bulliqi@ks.gov.net) : The relief formed by the descent phenomenon in the north-east part of Kosova. J envir Biol 2012, 33(2;suppl), 401-5.

In the diverse relief of north-east part of Kosova a relatively wide range occupies the relief modelled by the descent phenomenon, which is conditioned by morph-structural and climatic factors quite suitable for their development. The morphogenesis activity of descent phenomenon is conditioned by the types of rocks, tectonic process of this region and climatic conditions. These factors condition horizontal and vertical relief fragmentation, slope, especially in Gollaku mountains and in SE part of Kopaonik mountain. Along the tectonic descents, the steepness is detaching and the detaching lines consisting of magmatic rocks show overthrows, demolitions and stony torrents, but the Teri gene composition formations are modelled by sliding and muddy torrents, depending upon the presence of clayey and alevrolite belts on these Teri gene ones. The impact of factors and conditions on the relief of this part, the phenomena like demolitions, overthrows, sliding, muddy torrents, stony torrents, etc, operate here, which play an important morphological role in the modelling of relief.

3 illus, 6 ref

013177   Boengiu S;Vladut A;Marinescu E (Geography Dep, Craiova Univ, Romania, Str.Al.I.Cuza, nr.13, Craiova, Romania) : Conditions of gully development within piedmont areas with examples from the western part of the getic piedmont, Romania. J envir Biol 2012, 33(2;suppl), 407-15.

Features of gully morphometry and associated relief characteristics emphasize that gully develop under a wide variety of rock conditions, rainfall regimes, geomorphic predisposition, and human influence. Consequently, many slopes within piedmont areas, in this case, the Getic Piedmont, are characterized by dense gully systems, as there occur excessive clearing, inappropriate land use, compaction of the soil caused by grazing, on the general background of a favourable climate. Both rainfall and runoff factors must be considered in assessing a water erosion problem. The erosional slope development within the Getic Piedmont was evaluated based on maps and field studies in the last 15 years, which emphasized that about 20% of the total surface of the piedmont is affected by gully erosion. The results show that the factors leading to the strong gully erosion in this area include - the widely distributed friable rocks, the unique geomorpholbgic configuration, the strong and time-concentrated rainfall, the alternance of drought-humid periods that prepares the ground for the development of fissures in soils, the drought that influence the growth and recovery of vegetation, and the intense human activities. Gully erosion is one of the most visible forms of soil erosion, which affects its productivity, provides considerable material transport- torrential transports, debris flow, restricts land use, and threatens local communities.

1 table, 10 illus, 18 ref

013176   Biswas S (Geography Dep, Mrinalini Datta Mahavidyapith, Birati, Kolkata-700 051) : East Kolkata wetland-past heritage and future prospect. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 487-94.

Wetlands are the ecotones or transitional zones between permanently aquatic and dry terrestrial ecosystems. Wetland serve as flood control acting like gigantic natural sponge. The abundance of nutrients, aquatic vegetation and calm, shallow water makes this place one of the most productive environments. They act as nature's filter by breaking down the pollutants, catch mud and dirt that flow downstream to coastal areas in and after the rainy season. This gives enough scope for fishery and wildlife thus protecting biodiversity. However, the wetland habitats have been destroyed by draining and abrupt land-filling, over-exploitation of fish resources, agricultural production and residues, pollution, other human activities like cultivation and to meet the demands of the increasing population. A case study has been done on Chowbaga- a small mouza included in the Ramsar designated East Calcutta Wetland situated beside the city of Kolkata, West Bengal, India, to show case growing concern over the reclamation of wetlands and its preservation from the ecological point of view. The East Calcutta Wetland was identified in the Ramsar Convention of Wetlands and was declared a Ramsar site in 2002. The Ramsar Convention centers round the idea of wise use philosophy which emphasizes on conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and its resources, for the benefit of mankind. East Calcutta Wetland's uniqueness lies as it naturally cleanse the city of Kolkata's waste. Raw sewage is channelized into the vast stretches of East Calcutta Wetland everyday. The sewage is naturally cleansed, treated and recycled everyday in the vast area of lakes, ponds, swamps and channels with sunlight, algae and bacteria, which becomes food for fish and vegetable plants.

5 ref

013175   Biswas R;Chakraborty S (Geography Dep, Presidency Univ, Kolkata) : Impact of agro-environmental landscape on crop land use-an approach to the determination of agro-economic status, Ajoy-Damodar inter-fluve zone, Bardhaman, West Bengal. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 33-42.

Based on secondary observation and primary extraction the present research is primarily significant for highlighting the agro-environmental favourability of agriculture and subsequent impact on crop land use of the studied area to appreciate the economic landscape of the region. The Ajoy-Damodar interfluve zone has been considered for this particular research because of its enriched agro-environmental characteristics. These two rivers are actually traversing, one from north to north-east (Ajoy) and other from south to south-east (Damodar), almost all through the studied zone and playing decisive role for creating the ideal agricultural environment in this zone. The pointed goal of this investigation is to explore the agro-environmental situation of this area and finally to find out, how such environment is influencing the crop land use pattern. However, the present research has been taken into account to extract and evaluate the agro-economic status of the Ajoy-Damodar interfluve zone which is traditionally noted for developed agricultural tract in between delta and plateau terrain in this region.

6 illus, 3 tables, 9 ref

013174   Bera G (Asutosh College, Calcutta Univ, Kolkata) : Identification of geomorphic features at Ganganir Danga, Garhbeta, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 801-10.

The landform features Ganganir Dangaare concerned with an analytical approach. The complex landscape and weak geological structure of the region is marked by the occurrence of several geomorphic processes like, rain splash erosion, rill erosion, sheet erosion, gully erosion, headword erosion etc. Occurrence of these geomorphic processes is very frequent over the region during south-west monsoon season. Lateritic duricrust, escarpment, gullies, 'V' and 'U' shaped gully channels, pipe structure, mesa, butte. caves, earth-pillar, waterfall, fossil horizon with void and silicified tubes, gully fan are the typical geomorphic features associated with the development of badlands of this area.

7 ref

013173   Bairagya R;Bairagya H (Economics Dep, Sambhu Nath College, Labpur, Birbhum, West Bengal) : Water scarcity a global problem- an economic analysis. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(1), 127-32.

The crisis of water has been a serious problem not only in India but in most of the countries of the world. We ail know that "water is life" but we are.not serious about planned use of water. As a result the whole society is facing a serious crisis for maintaining regular needs of life. It is a fact that water is not only the essential ingredient of all living beings but also highly essential component for our irrigation, technology, industry, urbanization and so on. An intensive discussion has been made in this article about water resources its uses and crisis and their effects on the society. The water is used for many purposes, such as drinking, domestic, irrigation for agriculture, industry, urbanization, plantation cleaning, cooling, gardening, livestock management thermal- power generation, hydro-electric generation, nuclear- reactor etc. However due to the unplanned use of water resources day by day a serious crisis has been originated not only in India but also in many other countries. It is a threat for survival of human society that life will not stay for a long due to the scarcity of water. Hence it is very crucial to develop a scientific plan of water use with a view to sustainable management of water resource.

10 ref

013172   Badsha S A (Geography Dep, The Univ of Burdwan, West Bengal) : Cyclones in West Bengal: severity and management. Indian J Landsc Syst ecol Stud 2011, 34(2), 711-22.

India as well as coastal West Bengal is lying under the worst effected disaster prone area among other countries in the world. West Bengal ("miniature India") coastal area is frequently affected during 1737 to 2010 (274years) by some severe tropical cyclones(278) and its major associated hazards specially storm surge or high tidal waves than other two - strong winds and torrential rain causing heavy loss of human lives and property. The most severe impact of cyclones in West Bengal coastal region is on the fishery sector, physical installation, ecosystems peoples of lower section. Over Bengal since 1937 cyclone took lives of more than 13.5 lakhs people and uncountable numbers of catties and damaged even brick built houses, roads, crops etc. In destroying crops and affecting food supply cyclones can also affected land quality and production potential. Cyclonic storms cannot be prevented only the loss of lives and damages to the properties can be mitigated if prompt action of management is taken timely. This paper is an attempt to assess the severity of cyclones in West Bengal with recent views (threats) and management for reducing the maximum losses of lives and resources with the help of recent advance technology and system.

2 illus, 2 tables, 15 ref

013171   Avram S;Vladut A;Curcan G;Boengiu S (Geography Dep, Craiova Univ, Str.Al.I.Cuza, nr.13, Craiova, Romania, Email: asorin@clicknet.ro) : GIS utilization in determining the limits between low morphological units. J envir Biol 2012, 33(2;suppl), 431-8.

The limit between low morphological units is quite difficult to be established due to the fact that the lithological, elevation and/or structure differences are hardly visible. Thus, the contact between piedmont and plain units is represented, in many cases, by areas where limits are hard to be drawn. In order to establish the way geographic information system (GIS) may contribute to the determination of the aforementioned limits, we used the situation of the limit between the Getic Piedmont and the Romanian plain and compared the obtained results to examples from other areas with different formation and evolution conditions. Presently, the Getic Piedmont undergoes a modelling process as valleys widen, torrential enlargements laterally advance, and slope denudation develop, which make difficult to establish a clear southern limit. The fan texture of the valleys, their age, the flowing direction, as well as the differences of altitude, lithology, and structure disposal represent the main elements when establishing limits even in the case of GIS analysis. The drawing of thematic layers rendering elements such as hydrographic system, hypsometry, DEM on a traditional cartographic support, orthophotoplans, satellite images, for a better interpretation of the, geomorphoiogic aspects allow a more objective attempt of reconstructing the morphological limits.

5 illus, 19 ref

013170   Ahmad M;Srivastava S;Shrivastava J P (Geological Survey of India, Eastern Region, Patna-800 020, Email: jpshrivastava.du@gmail.com) : REE abundance in the clays associated with the intra-volcanic bole horizons of the eastern deccan traps: palaeoenvironmental implications. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2012, 78(1), 59-69.

The present study was carried out with the primary aim of recording trace elemental variations across bole horizons that occur in the eastern Deccan volcano-sedimentary succession. On the basis of relative abundance of clay minerals, these boles have been grouped into seven distinctive groups - (a) montmorillonite predominant (<62> 90% montmorillonite), (b) montmorillonite with sub-ordinate amount of halloysite, (c) montmorillonite <60> halloysite, (d) montmorillonite + I/S + other mineral phases, (e) montmorillonite + C/S + other mineral phases, (f) kaolinite ± montmorillonite and (g) palygorskite predominant boles. The REE patterns of bole clays show HREE fractionation. However, such fractionation is not much pronounced in case of montmorillonite predominant group of bole clays, whereas montmorillonite with sub-ordinate amount of halloysite, montmorillonite <60> halloysite and kaolinite ± montmorillonite bole clays showed well fractionated patterns. The montmorillonite <60> halloysite and palygorskite predominant bole clays show weak positive 5Eu anomalies and enriched in kaolinite and halloysite, pointing towards reducing conditions that prevailed during their formation. Most of the clay fractions of the bole horizons show positive δCe anomalies. The (La/Yb)_N values show HREE enrichment relative to LREE for all the bole clays.

4 illus, 1 table, 43 ref

011990   Yadav S;Usha Singh (NO, , Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh) : Ground water assessment and its utilization in Chitrakoot district, U.P.. Trans Inst Indian Geogr 2011, 33(2), 266-74.

The present paper attempts to study the ground water resources of Chitrakoot district (U.P.) and its uses in agricultural, domestic and industrial sectors. In the assessment of ground water the present study includes the condition of water table, recharge of ground water by rainfall, canal seepage and return seepage by irrigated fields, quality of ground water and its utilization in different sectors. This study reveals that the rate of recharge is higher than the rate of draft of ground water in the district as a whole at present. So it falls in the safe category for future development. It is also observed that the quality of ground water is suitable for both the domestic and irrigational purposes. Present study is based on the data collected from Central Ground Water Board (Lucknow), Office of Ex. Engineer, Irrigation Division, Karwi (Chitrakoot), Office of Assistant Engineer Minor Irrigation Division(Banda) & chemical analysis of water samples from different observation wells of the Chitrakoot District personally collected in the last week of May 2008.

8 tables, 9 ref

011989   Venkateswaran S;Vijay Prabhu M (Hydrogeological Lab, Geology Dep, Periyar Univ, Salem-11, Email: provnkdswrn@gmail.com) : A multivariate statistical analysis of groundwater chemistry data in Cumbum valley watershed Teni district Tamil Nadu, India. Ultra Scient phys Sci-Sect B 2011, 23(1), 15-26.

The Cumbam valley watershed, located in Uttamapalyam and a small part of Periyakulam taluk, the western corner of Teni District covers an area of about 890.97 Km², Tamilnadu, has been selected for this study. A multivariate statistical assessment has been adapted to the classification of a large, irregular dataset of 55 subsurface water samples in pre-monsoon 2009 and analyzed for various water quality parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, Ca⁺², Mg⁺², Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃^-, CO_-3^-, SO₄^-2 and Cl^-. Hydrogeochemical data for 55 groundwater samples were subjected to Q- and R- mode factor and cluster analysis. R-mode analysis reveals the inter-relations among the variables studied and the Q-mode analysis reveals the inter-relations among the samples studied. The R-mode factor analysis shows that Mg and CI with CO₃ account for most of the electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and total hardness of the groundwater. Both Q-mode factor and Q-mode cluster analyses shows that there is an exchange between the river water and adjacent groundwater. Cluster classification map reveals that 97.79% of the study area comes under cluster I classification.

3 illus, 3 tables, 33 ref

011988   Venkateswaran S;Suresh M;Thangaraju P;Vijay Prabhu M (Hydrogeological Lab, Geology Dep, Periyar Univ, Salem-11, Email: provnkdswrn@gmail.com) : Hydrogeological significance of morphometric analysis in the vaniyar watershed of Ponnaiyar River Basin, Tamil Nadu. Ultra Scient phys Sci-Sect B 2011, 23(2), 341-52.

Remote sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) has proved to be an efficient tool in delineation of drainage pattern and water resources management and its planning. GIS and image processing techniques have been adopted for the identification of morphological features and analyzing their properties of the Vaniyar watershed parts of Dharmapuri and Salem districts in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The morphometric parameters such as linear, aerial and relief aspects of the river basin were determined and computed. The watershed falls on the hard rock crystalline rocks. The groundwater occurring under water table condition and mainly stayed in the weathered mantle and secondary porosity. The Vaniyar is an ephemeral stream flowing in the central part of the watershed. The lithogical controls on the permeability of the hard rock aquifer. The watershed further classified as a 15 micro watershed based on drainage network. The comparisons among the 15 micro watersheds became more effective and are viewed in the light of their respective morphometric parameters. It is 7th order drainage basin and drainage pattern mainly in subdendritic to dendritic type. The morphometric parameters worked out include Drainage density, Drainage texture, Bifurcation ratio, Stream order, Stream length, Stream length ratio, Stream frequency, Basin length, Form factor, Elongation ratio and Circulatory ratio. The morphometric analysis reveals that the comparisons of all the fifteen micro watersheds out of four micro watersheds have the lowest drainage density and high permeability. The present investigation for a smaller watershed is suggested as a more fruitful particularly in heterogeneous hard rock terrain.

3 illus, 5 tables, 19 ref

011987   Sujatha K;Sringarsaubramanian S R;Mukesh M V (Earth Sciences Dep, Annamali Univ, Annamalainagar-2, Email: laksrs@yahoo.com) : Sediment characterization and depositional processes from the pit samples between Tarangambadi and Kottucherimedu, Nagapattinam district, east coast of Tamil Nadu (India). Ultra Scient phys Sci-Sect B 2011, 23(3), 557-70.

In India, Tamilnadu coast extends to a length of about 1026 km. Coastal zone is the transition between land and sea, one of the most fragile, complex and productive ecosystem. It is bestowed with enormous resources, both - living and non-living, potential area for recreation and harnessing non-conventional energy resources (wave and wind energy). Widely varying nature of landforms and their disposition along the beaches and inland represent the successive phases of transgression and regression of sea level. The analyzed sediments exhibit a good sorting under high energy environment. Most of the samples were brought by beach and Aeolian processes and deposited by shallow agitated water in a turbid environment.

2 illus, 2 tables, 27 ref

011986   Subramaniam S (National Remote Sensing Centre, ISRO, Balanagar, Hyderabad-500 625, Email: pssmaniam@hotmail.com ) : Knowledge-based, automated land use/land cover mapping using resourcesat-1 AWiFS. J Remote Sensing GIS 2012, 3(1), 11-20.

The availability of large quantity of data from high-resolution space-based sensors along with the existing archives surpassed ability to extract information from all the data using supervised image analysis techniques. Hence there is a need for automated image classifier with high throughput. Knowledge-based, modular, hierarchical decision-based classifier suitable for the analysis and extraction of major land use/land cover classes from IRS Resourcesat AWiFS data has been developed and the results are encouraging.

9 illus, 10 ref

011985   Singh S R;Verma C L (Regional Research Station, Near Manyavar Shree Kanshi Ram Jee Smarak Sthal, Jail Raod, P.O. Alambagh, Lucknow-226 005, Email: strmsingh@yahoo.com) : Water retention characteristic from particle size distribution and bulk density data of soils. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad 2011, 77(3), 249-62.

New model for estimating water retention characteristic curve from the routinely measured soil properties - particle size distribution, bulk density and particle density - has been developed. The model is based on the premise of a close similarity between the shapes of the water retention characteristic (WRC) and particle size distribution (PSD) curves. The aforesaid idea enables one to write every Cartesian coordinate of the WRC curve as a multiple of a scale factor and the corresponding Cartesian coordinate of the PSD curve. The approach has resulted into the suction head, h_j = C_xj/D_mj, in which C_xj is a scale factor and D_mj is the mean particle diameter, all corresponding to the _jth segment of the PSD curve. The scale factor, C_xj, has been found to depend on the particle shape factor, C, volumetric water content, 6, total porosity, 0, and residual moisture content, θ_r, The model has two unknown parameters, θ_rr and C, which have been evaluated from the observed moisture contents at two suction heads. Assuming soil particles to be spherical for which C = 6, the only unknown parameter in the model is θ_r whose determination requires only one set of measured data on moisture content versus suction head. Estimation of WRC from PSD data of 12 soils have yielded the average and maximum deviations between the estimated and the measured WRC curves to be lesser than two and 3.4 per cents, respectively. An equation for the air entry suction as a function of mean particle diameter and void ratio has also been derived.

9 illus, 2 tables, 19 ref

011984   Sharma N K;Kullu N J;Swain P K;Jeyaseelan A T (IT Dep, Government of Jharkhand, Jharkhand Space Applications Center, Ranchi-834 004, Email: sharmank@rediffmail.com) : Geospatial analysis of wetlands in Jharkhand using multi-temporal satellite data. J Remote Sensing GIS 2012, 3(3), 22-30.

Study was earned out to study the wetlands of Jharkhand using pre-monsoon and post-monsoon satellite data. Different indices were used to quantify the seasonal extent of wetlands, aquatic vegetation and turbidity levels of wetlands. Wetlands occupying an. area smaller than 2,25 ha were identified separately as snail wetlands. The total number of wetlands Identified in Jharkhand was 2436 covering an area of 1568.2 sq. km. Small wetlands were 13327 in number. Rivers/streams and reservoirs occupied more than, 90% area of total wetland area. Wetlands mostly exhibited moderate turbidity. Spatial geodatabaze generated in the present study mil he useful for the planning and monitoring of wetlands for their continued ecosystem servicss to the society. Major wetlands may be further developed as the prime sites of tourist attraction.

8 illus, 1 table, 16 ref

011983   Sharma N K;Jeyaseelan A T;Ravish Kumar (IT Dep, Government of Jharkhand, Jharkhand Applications Center, Ranchi-834 004, Email: sharmank@rediffmail.com) : Geospatial technology for sericulture development in Jharkhand: a pilot study. J Remote Sensing GIS 2012, 3(2), 34-45.

Site Mutability analysis for mulberry plantation has been carried out in Pakur and Rancki districts of Jharkhand state, India, using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System. The study was carried out considering the need for move siIk production to fill the gap between demand and supply. Cultivable wasteland was mapped as the potential area to be taken for suitability analysis. Different parameters used for site suitability analysis were soil depth, soil texture, soil pH, soil drainage, slope, ground water availability, temperature and rainfall, Different suitability classes mapped were moderately suitable, marginally suitable and, currently not suitable in both the districts. Suitability statistics were also generated for different blocks of Ranchi and Pakur districts. Identified suitable areas can be taken under mulberry plantation by the state sericulture department to meet the increasing demand of silk.

6 illus, 4 tables, 16 ref

011982   Senanayake I P;Dissanayake D M D O K; Puswewala U G A (Earth Resources Engineering Dep, Moratuwa Univ, Sri Lanka) : Site suitability analysis for reservoirs in Suriyawewa by using GIS techniques. J Remote Sensing GIS 2012, 3(2), 60-78.

Sri Lanka receives an average rainfall varying regionally from 900 mm to 6000 mm. Due to the unequal rainfall distributions over the island, Sri Lanka is traditionally divided into three climatic zones, namely Wet Zone, Dry Zone, and Intermediate Zone. The Dry Zone of the island which receives less than 1750 mm of average annual rainfall occupies two thirds of the island and faces water stress conditions periodically. Districts such as Monaragala, Puttalam, Kurunegala, Ampara, Budulla, Hambantota are some of the highly affected districts by these conditions. Hambantota District seems to be a severely affected area OR the basis of surface water availability. With the ongoing development projects in the District, the demand for water in the area will increase within the next few years. It this work Suriyawewa Divisional Secretarial area of the Hambantota District was selected as the research area considering its average climatic conditions and location within Hambantota District, and the methodology adopted here can be generalized to the whole District. Terrain of Suriyawewa area was analyzed hydrologically, and the most suitable catchments to construct reservoirs were found, by using GIS techniques. The selected catchments were then analyzed with soil data and drainage characteristics to select the most suitable locations to construct new reservoirs in the area. Finally the locations are field verified.

11 illus, 7 tables, 11 ref

011981   Sen S;Das P K (Geology Dep, Lumding College Lumding, Assam) : Heavy minerals from the barail sandstones occurring in and around Mandardisa of North Cachar Hills, Assam. Ultra Scient phys Sci-Sect B 2011, 23(3), 535-56.

Heavy minerals from Barail sandstones occurring in and around Mandardisa of N.C. Hills, Assam have been studied to determine the provenance (source) depositional history and maturity of the sandstones. An attempt has also been made to correlate the area with some neighbouring areas of Meghalaya and Assam where Barail sandstones are well exposed. The heavy mineral assemblage contains a good amount of stable and unstable minerals consisting of non-opaque minerals viz. zircon, tourmaline, rutile, epidote, staurolite, kyanite etc. and opaque iron minerals. This assemblage suggests that the sediments of Barail sandstones were derived mostly from metamorphic and igneous rocks with minor derivation from sedimentary rock. The source rocks are mostly from neighbouring areas of Meghalaya Plateau and Arunachal Himalaya. The statistical analyses namely length frequency breadth frequency and elongation quotient frequency diagrams of zircon indicate two or more diverged provenance (sources). The scatter diagram of zircon is also indicative of nearer provenance and hence shorter transportation of the sediments from the sources. The study of primary and secondary growths of zircon grains also indicate dual nature of origin of the sandstones. A very few grains of rounded heavy minerals suggest reworked nature of some sediments.

11 illus, 27 ref

011980   Sawaitul S D;Wagh K P;Chatur P N (Computer Science and Engineering Dep, Government College of Engineering, Amravati, Maharashtra, Email: swaitulsanjay@gmail.com) : Classification and prediction of eather forecasting dataset by using artificial neural network. J Remote Sensing GIS 2011, 2(2), 1-4.

In the growing field of technology, wireless medium is playing a very important role. In this survey paper.. different models which were used in the past for weather forecasting are discussed. In today's Internet Technology, one of the most interesting model for accessing of various features, It shows how different models are important for different purposes. As it can be seen the development in Computing Techniques, Artificial Intelligence and Internet, the detected weather i.e. temperature, humidity, wind,, rainfall etc, can be showed as an image. In the past, there was a model developed using Artificial Neural Network which was used in order to classify and predict the thunderstorm, In the past,, the models which were used, some are based on image processing, some on content based or soft computing technique. Most of the models take input as images retrieved and based on those images, it predicts the future weather This paper is focusing on two parts as the weather forecasting models which were used in the past and another part includes the information about the wireless kit used for the weather forecasting process.

2 illus, 13 ref

011979   Sauparna P;John S (Civil Dep, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh-160 012, Email: pratibha.sauparna@rediffmail.com) : Avalanche hazard mapping along Manali-Patsio road axis (Himachal Pradesh, India) using advanced geo-informatics techniques. J Remote Sensing GIS 2012, 3(1), 1-10.

Avalanche occurrence is quite a hazardous and unpredictable natural phenomenon. A large number of factors that are associated with its occurrence make it quite difficult to assess hazard in hilly areas. There are two main groups of variables that define the avalanche hazard -meteorological conditions and terrain characteristics. Due to the stable nature along the time, terrain parameters are easier to map. The purpose of this work is to assess different geographical factors that affect the avalanches triggering and, by combining the derived information, to extract a map of the avalanche hazard that, in this case, is restricted to Manali-Patsio highway. To this purpose, GIS techniques have been used, by mixing vectorial information, digital terrain models and IRS LISS-III imagery. In this paper, multi-criteria have been proposed as a technique for avalanche hazard mapping. Five avalanche conditioning factors (slope, aspect, land cover, elevation, and curvature) were taken as inputs. The ratings were given to each category of factors contributing to avalanche and weightages were decided for each factor after consulting experts in this field. The results were verified by back analysis. In back analysis, registered avalanche Atlas (SASE, Chandigarh) of the study area is taken as input and criteria for avalanche triggering were extracted. Then using these criteria, a model was generated and results were validated.

6 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

011978   Sathees Kumar;Radhakrishnan N;Mathew S (Civil Engineering Dep, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli) : Land use land cover change detection and forecasting for Tiruchirappalli city using remote sensing and GIS. J Remote Sensing GIS 2012, 3(1), 21-32.

Land use Land cover (LU/LC) change has taken place in Tiruchirappalli city in Tamil Nadu, India over the past two decades due to induced industrialization and urbanization. In this paper, LU/LC change dynamics were studied by ike combined use of remote sensing, geographical information system (GTS) and stochastic modelling technologies. The different land use categories and their spatial and temporal variability in Tiruchirappalli city has been studied over a period of fourteen years (1992-2006), from the analysis of landsat images for the year 1992, 2001, 2003 and 2006 using ArcGIS 9.3 and ERDAS Imagine 9.1 software. Maximum Livelihood Algorithm was employed to detect the LU/LC types. Based on the results of classified mages, the agricultural land coverage area was observed to have reduced from the year 1991 to 2006 by 3.44% while the area under settlement increased from the year 1991 to 2006 by 18.54%. An attempt was made to project the LU/LC change for the next nine years using Markov model. The forecasted results indicated that, the area of urban land would maintain the increasing tendency m the next nine years. The study demonstrates that the integration of satellite remote sensing and GIS was an. effective approach for analysing the temporal and spatial pattern of LU/LC chane. The futher integration of these two technoloies with Markov modelling was found to be beneficial in describing and analyzing land use change process.

6 illus, 8 tables, 16 ref

011977   Radhakrishnan N;Svega D (Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering Dep, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli-620 015, Email: nisha@nitt.edu) : Variation of ozone concentration over Indian subcontinent using ozone monitoring instrument data. J Remote Sensing GIS 2011, 2(2), 13-20.

The paper gives an overview of a major application of remote sensing satellites in monitoring the ozone concentration present in the atmosphere. Ozone makes a significant contribution to the radiative balance of the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere and is an important constituent in the atmosphere, for it provides a protective shield against the harmful ultraviolet radiations. However, in the recent times, there has been immense debate as to the possibility of long term global ozone depletion due to catalytic reactions in the stratosphere involving chemicals released by anthropogenic activities. Remote sensing of Earth from space has drown its significance in various applications ranging from land uses to atmospheric studies, These satellites have been introduced to encompass various tasks like studying the atmosphere and the various interactions involved, understanding and analysing stratospheric pollution by measurement of various trace gases involved, studying man's impact on the atmosphere etc One among the many satellites introduced is the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), which has been regularly monitoring ozone on a global basis since year 2004. For the present study, ozone data obtained from the instalment has been used to analyse the variability of ozone over selected regions of India during the period from year 2005-2010. The study includes analysis of monthly and yearly variation of ozone over selected regions during the period of study.

1 illus, 3 tables, 13 ref