GIS and Remote Sensing

Biography

Biography: Ashok Aswal

Abstract

Geo-environmental deals with every issue that affects a living organism in the world. It is essentially a multidisciplinary approach that brings about an appreciation of our natural world and human impact on its integrity. Since last few decades the human life is being severely affected by natural hazard, therefore, it looks that the studies related to geo-environmental and hazard need to studies in details (Rawat et.al.2015) One of such approaches is to prepare regional geo-environmental appraisal for identification of areas subject to natural hazard and environmental degradation. To address a geo-environmental problem like landslide hazard one have to use different geo-environmental parameters like geology, geomorphology, rainfall, soil, surface water, ground water, land use / land cover of the study area. Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) has one of the most rugged mountain topography in the Himalaya, which is geologically one of the youngest mountain range in the world and geodynamically still active, with vast wealth of natural resources. IHR occupies 18% geographical area with 6% resident population of the country. It stretches over 2400 km from East to West and varies in width from 220 to 300 kms in North to South disposition (Agrawal et al., 1997).

As the world heads toward its urban future, the environmental problems related to municipal solid waste, one of the byproducts of an urban lifestyle became glaring. The municipal waste generally includes domestic waste (garbage, rubbish, sewage, vegetable waste etc.), commercial waste and waste from building mater ial, dead animal skeleton etc. I n order to keep the urban environment clean, solid waste management is one among the basic essential services provided by municipal authorities. However, it is among the most poorly rendered services in the basket. Disposal of waste in open have created the unpredictable and variable behavior of the geo-environment which ultimately affects the planning and management of geo-resources. Dumping of industrial and municipal wastes causes toxic substances to be leached and seep into the soil and affects the ground water course,

This State experiences the problems of landslides and other mass movements at its various locations. This is due to a combination of factors like, dominantly geological with fragile rock formation as well as unconsolidated soil material coupled with high intensity annual precipitation and steep slopes. The monsoon months play a critical role in triggering the landslide events along the roads as well as other locations of human habitations. During monsoon months (particularly June, July, August) landslides are widespread; causing collapsed, loss of life and property in the coming year’s Monsoon month receives average monthly rainfall of approximately 300-600mm. The relative humidity also remain quite high providing enough moisture to the formation particularly with clay rich soils and rocks allowing them to swell, causing unpredictable landslides at places almost round the year.