Use of geographic information system for the vulnerability assessment of landscape in upper Satluj basin of district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The present study was conducted in the upper river Satluj basin of district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, India. The vulnerability assessment was done on the basis of selected parameters like slope, slope profile, slope aspects, relative relief, curvature, soil texture, lithology, river morphometric, precipitation, land use and land cover, mass movement, flood, geological elements, earthquake occurrences, and anthropogenic activity (hydroelectric projects). Here, a quantitative and qualitative approach was used to generate physical vulnerability assessment index and vulnerability-based maps. Vulnerability assessment of the landscape was done to highlight the risks and sensitivity of the region due to prevailing hazards and anthropogenic activities.

Strategically Planning of Hydroelectric Projects for Reduce the Physical Vulnerability of Landscape in Upper Sutlej Valley, Western Himalayas, India

“…The scrubland had damaged area (1.46) 0.93 under the landslides and soil erosion but rarely affected with anthropogenic activities. Forest cover area of region had positive relationship with soil erosion and landslides [2]. The vulnerability score of the forest cover was 0.69 and ranked as 5.…”

“…The study region of the upper Satluj valley in Himachal Pradesh was extend from 31 0 30 0 12" Nto32 0 22 0 16"N and 77 0 40 0 16″E to79 0 13 0 16″E and also covered the area of 6450km 2 . The study region has high altitude which extended from 1200 m to 6705 m. The valley area was divided into two broad categories on the basis of climatic condition.…”

“…Hydropower project not leads to environmental air, soil, water pollution and believed as the source of green energy. But in recent time hydropower's development become the major concern in Himalayas region because of hazards vulnerability and its impacts [1] Upper Valley of Sutlej River is known for its major hydroelectric projects (25) of different phases and categories which included the 4 projects were commissioned, 4 projects were under construction, 9 were of under commissioned and 6 were of under investigation [2] (Figure 1). The upper valley of River Satluj was highly affected because of landslides incidences.…”

MODIS NDVI Multi-Temporal Analysis Confirms Farmer Perceptions on Seasonality Variations Affecting Apple Orchards in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh

“…The region also faces multiple challenges due to extreme events and construction activities. Previous studies on this region have focused on the loss of medicinal plants [12][13][14][15], vulnerability assessments and land use change [3,[16][17][18], extreme events including earthquakes and landslides [19,20], and the impacts of hydropower dams [21][22][23]. All of these challenges together play a significant role in transforming the agriscapes in the region, especially due to the deterioration of water resources, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable construction activities.…”

“…Studies in this region have also been conducted using Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing. These studies include morphometric analysis for the development of hydropower projects [24], vulnerability assessments [17], the classification of landscapes in the upper Satluj River watershed [25], glacial variations in Baspa river basin [26], the mapping of apple orchards [27], and to show changes in the built-up area, horticulture, and wasteland [18]. The district is highly vulnerable due to its complex geophysical setting [17].…”