Stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen have long been used to trace the hydrological processes on the principle that the lighter isotopes of water (e.g. H2O) preferentially evaporate over its heavier isotopes (e.g. HDO or H2 18O), and the heavier isotopes preferentially condense. In this line, several studies were carried out all over the world to characterize the local meteoric lines for generalizing the amalgamation of various hydrological processes taking place over multiple temporal and spatial scales.
A study on land degradation in the upper catchment of river Tons, a tributary of Yamuna river, in Uttarkashi district of the Uttarakhand state, was carried out using on-screen visual interpretation of IRS LISS-III + PAN merged data. The study area, which is largely mountainous, includes Govind Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park.
