INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOMATICS AND GEOSCIENCES Volume 2, No 2, 2011 Copyright 2010 All rights reserved Integrated Publishing services Research article ISSN 0976 4380 Geomorphological study of Atagad Basin, Chamoli District, Uttarakhand: GIS and Remote Sensing 1, Kumar Satyendra 2 1- D.Phil Research Scholar, Dpt. of Geography, HNBGU, JRF, FSI, Dehradun, India 2- Technical Associate, JRF, Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, India ABSTRACT Geomorphology is the science of evolution of landforms in terms of its lithology, structure, basin geometry and other morphometric factors. The main object is to map the land system into further various Landform unit and features through geomorphic approach in Atagad Basin. This study has been carried out to create the geomorphologic parts of Atagad Catchment. Geomorphologic maps were prepared using Satellite images (Landsat ETM+,TM, MSS,SRTM )and digital SOI topographic sheet of the region; this was further updated during post field work. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) generation based on topographical sheet was prepared for creating relief map, slope map and erosion intensity zone as well as drainage map with the help of topographic sheets, the generation of various thematic layers has also been developed. Land Use/Cover over the study area has been analyzed for the time periods of 2008. Various theme maps (erosion intensity, LST) were generated for GIS study analysis is done to analyze the instability and morphology of the catchment area. Keywords: DEM, Geomorphology, GIS& Remote Sensing, LST, Land use. 1. Introduction The Atagad basin is one of the important valleys of Chamoli district. It has an area of 118sq. km. Attagad The area presents an undulating and rugged terrain with highly mountainous, precipitous ridges interspaced by deep gorge and Valley. Area km 2 Surface area (3D) km 2 Km 3 119.0 209.2 108.1 Geomorphologically the area is in a young stage and the erosion is comparatively rapid. The slopes are steep and unstable. Attagad is the main River which crosses the area. Attagad is a tributary of River Pindar, which is a major tributary of River Alaknanda. Attagad River flows down from a height of 3119 meters through Malla Chandpur Reserve Forest and joins Pindar at Simli. Upto the diversion site the length of River is 18.70 km. Attagad is a perennial rain fed stream. The drainage is basically dendritic to sub dendritic and sub parallel. The River bed is full of large boulders. The rocks of the area are represented by Garhwal Group, which forms the major part of the lesser Himalaya. It is represented by low grade metasediments consisting of quartzite with penecontemporaneous metavolcanics and carbonate rocks. 2. Study Area The Atagad basin which is one of the important basin of Chamoli district,uttarakhand. It has an area of 119sq. km., approximately extending from 30 o 5 28 to 30 o 13 45 N latitude and 79 o 6 27 to 79 o 15 40 E longitude. Submitted on September 2011 published on November 2011 595
3. Methodology Figure 1: Location Map of Study Area Methodology is a sequence of activities that starts with the decision making, problem recognition and ends with recommendation. The quality of decision making depends on sequence on which the activities are undertaken. The details of the methodology are described below. Flow Chart of Methodology Satellites Data Landsat(ETM,TM,MSS)&SRTM Topographic Sheets Geometric Correction Subset Catchment Area Prepare Landuse Cover Map Create DEM Relief Map Slope Map Aspect Map 3D Map 596
4. Results & Discussions This study Based on a brief reconnaissance survey with added information from previous research in the study area, a classification scheme was developed for the study area after Anderson et al., (1967). The classification scheme developed gives a broad classification where the land use, LST and DEM were identified by a single digit. The results are presented in form of maps, charts and statistical tables. 4.1 Relief and Slope Classification of Study Area Relief morphology of Atagad river basin describes variation of elevation between the highest and the lowest point (2500m-500m). Slope maps were prepared from the digital elevation model DEM and topographic map of hazards. Here slope has been classified into six classes: i) 0-10 0, ii) 10-20, iii) 20-35 0, iv) 35-50 0, v) 50-65 0 and vi) 65- to above.table.1 and Figure.2 represent the relief & slope classification of Atagad Basin. The slope is the gradient of the land, and is generally expressed in percent or degree. Alaknanda Basin maintains its distinctiveness for moderate & high slopes 20 0-50 0 representing 78.4% area of the basin. Whereas, slopes above 50 0-65 0 are occupied only 5.1% (steep slope) of the Alaknanda Basin (Khanduri, 2011). Figure 2: Relief & Slope Classification of Alaknanda Basin Table 1: Atagad Basin Relief and Slope Classification Height in Meters Percent % Slope in Degree Percent (%) Below -500 0.10 Below -10 3.90 500-1000 1.30 10-20 12.50 1000-1500 25.90 20-35 45.90 1500-2000 46..00 35-50 32.50 2000-2500 23.50 50-65 1.60 Above -2500 3.10 Above -65 3.50 597
4.2 Land Surface Temperature (LST) Classification The classified Landsat TM(Thematic Layer) imagery of October 1990-2005 indicates an obvious gradual thermal change or LST. Wasteland and vacant land have also highest LST (22 0 C-24 0 C). The vegetation covers area, water bodies and cultivated land have the least with (14 0 C-22 0 C). Temperature increased by 1.02 0 during these 15 years period (1990-2005). Table.2 and Figure.3 depicts the Land Surface temperature (LST) change for the year 1990-2005 in Atagad Catchment area. Table 2: Land Surface Temperature Classification for the Year (1990-2005) Class of Atagad Temp.1990 (%) Atagad Temp. 2005(%) Temp.(C 0 ) Below-10 20.41 1.4 10-20 34.17 43.92 15-20 26.79 31.63 20-25 17.17 19.63 Above-25 1.45 3.79 Figure 3: Landsurface Temperature Classification of Alaknanda Basin 4.3 Landuse & Landcover Classification Land use and land cover mapping of Atagad has been carried out standard methods of analysis of remotely sensed data and followed by ground truth collection and interpretation of satellite data. Land use planning (LUP) approach needs more and more data integration, multi-disciplinary and complex analysis, and need faster or more precise information for the participants in the LUP. Here Land use and land cover mapping are given below in Table. 3 & Figure.4. 598
Table 3: Landuse Types in Selected Catchments Class Atagad % Dense forest 30.00 Open forest 32.30 Scrub land 10.00 Barren land 4.90 Agricultural land 23.10 Figure 3: Landuse\ Landcover Classification of Alaknanda Basin 4.4 Erosion Intensity Classification The erosion intensity model was produced and then the zones are assigned to each feature in a map layer according to the frequency of occurrence of intensity such as landslides, earthquake, flash flood etc. Erosion intensity highly precisely and process erosion classification of the Remote Sensing images highly efficiently. The thematic map could be prepared in a shorter period than manual processing with the help of GIS analysis technique (Hao Jie, 2002). The present erosion intensity zone analysis has categorized into five different zones i.e Very High, High, Moderate, Gentle and Very Gentle. Very high zone is covering 11.33% of the total area. 20.67% and 15.57% area is included in high and very high zone as mention below Table.4 & Figure.5. 599
Table 4: Erosion Intensity Class of Alaknanda Basin Erosion Intensity Atagad Catchment Bhyunder Ganga Zones I Very gentle Dense Forest, Shrubs Dense Forest, Snow, Shrubs, Alpine II Gentle Open Forest Open Forest III Moderate Agriculture, Scrub Agriculture, Scrub IV High Settlement, Bridge, River Settlement, River, Perennial V Very High Roads,Bridge,Barren land Roads,Barren land,bridge 5. Conclusion Figure 5: Erosion Intensity Class or Zone of Alaknanda Basin This small study it is observed that geomorphological study has several advantages. The geomorphological parameters estimated may be utilized for testing geomorphic model as a DEM, LST etc. It will be of great use to policy makers, rural or villages planners, in preparing proper village plans, slope stability plan, disaster management plan and prevention for natural hazards and manmade hazards. Besides, its drainage designers to layout drains conforming and hydro projects probabilities, as well as creation of other infrastructure facilities like laying out of roads, national parks, reserve forest and many more projects and Government Plans. Acknowledgement Author are thankful to Prof. Kamlesh Kumar (Rtd.) and Dr. L.P.Lakhera(Assit. Profeesor) Dept. of Geography, HNBG University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand for their suggestion and necessary supervision. 600
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