GIS MODELLING FOR ASSESSMENT OF IRRIGATION SUITABILITY IN A PART OF HARDWAR DISTRICT

Abstract

Agricultural resources are among the most important renewable dynamic natural resources. Comprehensive, reliable and timely information on agricultural resources is very much necessary for any country. In India the agriculture sector heavily depends on the vagaries of monsoon. The area under rainfed crops is about two thirds of the total area of the country. Thus the assessment of irrigation suitability is required for better management of land and water resources at regional level. Remote sensing with its advantages of spatial, spectral and temporal availability of data covering large and inaccessible areas within short time has become a very handy tool in assessing, monitoring and conserving natural resources. In this study an attempt has been made to assess irrigation suitability in a part of Hardwar District using Remote sensing and GIS. The irrigation suitability has been assessed using a GIS model, which involves integration of thematic maps. Land use/cover thematic layer generated using remote sensing data, has been integrated with slope, soil and other collateral data in a Geographic Information system (GIS) framework and analyzed using a model developed to derive suitable zones for irrigation. Finally the study area has been classified into five different irrigation suitability classes. The Study reveals that about 19% of the study area is not suitable for irrigation and 80% of land is suitable for irrigation with different degree of suitability. The study addresses the strategies for an integrated approach of remote sensing and GIS for irrigation suitability and conservation of potential areas for irrigation.