Sustainable development planning in Pathri Rao sub-watershed using geospatial techniques
This study demonstrates the application of remote sensing, GIS and GPS for preparation of sustainable land and water resources development action plans for Pathri Rao sub-watershed in Haridwar district of Uttarakhand. High resolution IKONOS satellite imagery was used for detailed land use/cover mapping on 1 : 12,500 scale. Various primary and secondary database layers on land use/cover, forest density, biodiversity, slope, aspect, elevation, hydrogeomorphology, soil types, soil erosivity and crop suitability were generated. The study also considers the social, ecological and economic factors. A set of decision rules was then applied and data layers were integrated in GIS environment for preparation of the scientific and sustainable land and water resources development action plans for the study area. The exercise indicated a good scope for geospatial techniques in integrated watershed development planning.