Northwest Himalayan Ecosystems: Issues, Challenges and Role of Geospatial Techniques

Abstract

Ecosystems of the Northwestern Himalaya (NWH) are fragile and sensitive with respect to topography, geodynamics, geological hazards, soil and land degradation, biogeochemistry, biodiversity, water resources status (snow and glacial) and land use and land cover (LULC) including forest cover and human habitation. This region remained geodynamically active and produced three longest faults on earth surface: MCT (Main Central Thrust), MBT (Main Boundary Thrust) and HFT (Himalayan Frontal Thrust). Topographical diversity, geological complexity, active geodynamic processes, human interference and climatic impact made this region highly prone to various kinds of geological disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, flash flood, etc. Anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, faulty agricultural practices, biomass burning, etc. coupled with ruggedness of terrain contributed to high degree of soil erosion, depletion of soil nutrients and reduced crop and forest productivity of NWH ecosystem. This region is also most prone to ecological degradation because of perturbations in the biogeochemical cycling mainly carbon and nitrogen. Climate change and anthropogenic activities have also affected the water resources in the form of snow and glacial status and conditions. The urban development in the NWH region is a complex process as the human habitation is mainly controlled by natural environment. The unstable nature of terrain, along with heavy rain, soil erosion and mass wasting, constricts the physical distribution of the towns, and it further complicates the situation. This region has also witnessed unprecedented growth in terms of population and development particularly hydropower projects, infrastructure and urban centres, thereby making it one of the most ecologically vulnerable regions of the country.