An application of GIS techniques towards pasture land use studies

Abstract

In fact the concept of land varies with the time and person concern. With the increasing pressure of population on the earth, the scientists are compelled to think about the land afresh. In this context, the present study involves an scientific investigation in the upper catchment area of Kangsabati watershed situated in the western part of Purulia district, bounded by latitude 23° 05′N to 23° 30′N and longitude 86° E to 86° 20′E. Tributaries of Kangsabati River are the main drainage in the area. In spite of moderate average annual rainfall (1446.4 mm) groundwater recharge is inadequate due to lack of permeability in the country rock. Present research involves planning pertaining to land use in a chronically drought-hit and degraded land. The main objective of this investigation is to identify suitable potential zones within the fallow or waste land for pasture development which will ultimately support a livestock rearing livelihood to the local rural and tribal poor. The different thematic layers of the area involving slope, drainage, lineament, surface water bodies, hydro-geomorphology and land use or land cover have been generated using SOI topographical sheets (73 I/3, 73 I/4 and 73 I/7), IRS-IB and IRS-P6 LISSIVMX satellite data aided by field verification for ground truth. The layers are analyzed in GIS environment and it reveals the potential pasture zones which are suitable for grazing by local livestock community. Generated digital maps in GIS environment have revealed many suitable areas for grazing as well as live stock watering.