Terrain Evaluation for Eco-Restoration using Remote Sensing and GIS

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM(GIS) coupled with Remote Sensing has proved a powerful tool in the field of land evaluationand management. Various studies have been reported across the world, illustrating the application of GIS in the evaluation and management of landform, soil, and water resources. In the present study, GIS capabilities have been utilized to understand the erosional potential & slop stability character-istics of a small catchment zone from a highly important terrain segment of biodiversity hot spot in peninsular India. A multi thematic analysis based on different physical factors has been adopted to generate integrated maps on erosion proneness as well as on critical slope under a GIS platform for terrain evaluation. The spatial data on erosion proneness has demonstrated that 17.62 Sq. Km. area, out of ~140 Sq. Km. in the catchment zone, needs careful attention for Eco-restoration. In the critical slope map four land stability classes have been demarcated. The area represented as unstable & moderately stable is found to be important for slope stability problems. Temporal change as well as the extent of loss in the perennial status of tributaries has been recorded to evaluate the landform changes. A catch-ment treatment plan has also been suggested. 1