This edited book summarizes numerous research studies on remote sensing and GIS of natural resource management for the Himalaya region done by Indian Institutions and Universities over the last decade. It gives an overview of hydrometeorological studies on Himalayan water resources and addresses concerns in the development of water resources in this region, which is dealing with an increased pressure in population, industrialization and economic development.
While the source of some of the major rivers of India are found in the Himalayas, the glaciers and water bodies in the region are continuously shrinking leading to a depletion of water and deterioration of water quality. This is affecting a population of up to 2.5 billion people. The ecosystems have been under threat due to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, expansion of agriculture and settlement, overexploitation of natural resources, habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, mining, construction of roads and large dams, and unplanned tourism. Spaceborne remote sensing with its ability to provide synoptic and repetitive coverage has emerged as a powerful tool for assessment and monitoring of the Himalayan resources and phenomena.
This work serves as a resource to students, researchers, scientists, professionals, and policy makers both in India and on a global level.
Author(s): Ajay Kumar Taloor, Bahadur Singh Kotlia, Kireet Kumar
Series: Geography of the Physical Environment
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2021
Language: English
Pages: 361
City: Cham
Foreword
Preface
Contents
About the Editors
1 Application of Geospatial Techniques for Monitoring the Cryospheric Elements of Glacier System in Indian Himalayan Region (IHR)
Abstract
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Some Major Elements of Glacier Study
1.2.1 Snout Monitoring and Velocity Measurement
1.2.2 Glacial Lake
1.2.3 Mass Balance
1.2.4 Accumulation Zone
1.2.5 Ablation Zone
1.2.6 Accumulation Area Ratio (AAR)
1.2.7 Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA)
1.2.8 Debris-Covered and Debris-Free Glaciers
1.3 Methodology
1.3.1 Preparation of Base Map
1.3.2 Image Preprocessing
1.3.3 Image Classification
1.3.4 Accuracy Assessment
1.4 Case Study of Chipa Glacier
1.4.1 Study Area
1.4.2 Snout Monitoring
1.4.3 Velocity Measurement
1.4.4 Mass Balance Estimation
1.4.5 Snow Cover Area Mapping and Estimating the Snow Line (ELA) at the End of Ablation Season
1.5 Results and Discussions
1.5.1 Snout Monitoring
1.5.2 Velocity Measurements
1.5.3 Snow Cover Area Mapping and Accumulation Area Ratio (AAR)
1.5.4 Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA)
1.6 Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
2 Snowmelt Runoff Forecasting in Himalayan Basins Using Remote Sensing Inputs
Abstract
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Study Area
2.3 Methodology
2.3.1 Snowmelt Runoff
2.3.2 Glacier Melt Runoff
2.3.3 Rainfall–Runoff
2.3.4 Base Flow
2.3.5 Seasonal Runoff Forecast
2.4 Data Preparation
2.4.1 Snow Cover Area
2.4.2 Seasonal Snow Cover Persistence Index
2.4.3 Land Surface Temperature
2.4.4 Emissivity
2.4.5 Snow Albedo
2.4.6 Incoming Solar Radiation
2.4.7 Land Cover Map
2.4.8 Glacier Map
2.5 Model Implementation
2.5.1 Snowmelt Runoff Component
2.5.2 Glacier Melt Runoff Component
2.5.3 Rainfall–Runoff Component
2.5.4 Base Flow Component
2.5.5 Calibration and Validation
2.6 Runoff Forecasting Results
2.7 Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
3 Climate Change and Its Impacts with Special Reference to India
Abstract
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Climate and Greenhouse Effect
3.3 A Concise History of Climate Change Research
3.4 Impacts of Climate Change
3.4.1 Impacts on Himalayan Glaciers
3.4.2 Impacts on the Sea Level
3.4.3 Impacts on Agricultural Productivity and Food Security
3.4.4 Impacts on Biodiversity
3.4.5 Impacts on Human Health
3.5 Climate Change: The Indian Scenario
3.6 Climate Change—An Old Phenomenon
3.7 Mitigation of Climate Change
3.8 Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
4 Snow, Glacier, and Glacier Lake Mapping and Monitoring Using Remote Sensing Data
Abstract
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Snow
4.2.1 Spectral Characteristics for Snow/Ice (H2O and CO2) and Clouds
4.2.2 Snow Mapping Using Passive Microwave Remote Sensing
4.2.3 Global Snow Products Based on the Multi-sensor Approach
4.3 Glaciers
4.3.1 Manual Delineation
4.3.2 False-Color Composites
4.3.3 Automated Glacier Mapping by Segmentation of Ratio Images
4.3.4 Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) Method
4.3.5 Spectral Transformation
4.3.6 Unsupervised Classification
4.3.7 Supervised Classification
4.3.8 Artificial Neural Networks (ANN)
4.3.9 Combinations
4.3.10 Debris Cover Mapping
4.4 Glacier Mapping and Monitoring in India
4.5 Glacial Lakes
4.5.1 Erosion Lakes
4.5.2 Supraglacial Lakes
4.5.3 Moraine Dammed Lakes
4.5.4 Blocking Lakes
4.5.5 Ice-Dammed or Ice-Blocked Lakes
4.5.6 Mapping and Monitoring of Glacier Lakes
4.6 Conclusions
References
5 Remote Sensing Based Assessment of Glacier Resources in Parts of Ladakh Mountain Range, a Trans-Himalayan Region
Abstract
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Study Area
5.2.1 Climate of the Area
5.3 Data Used
5.4 Methods
5.4.1 Uncertainty in the Study
5.5 Glacier Characteristics
5.6 Glacier Area Changes from 1962/2000–2017
5.7 Relationship Between Glacier Changes with Glacier Area and Topographic Features
5.8 Discussion
5.9 Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
6 Estimation of Geodetic Mass Balance for Bada Shigri Glacier and Samudra Tapu Glacier in Chandra Basin, India
Abstract
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Materials and Methods
6.2.1 Study Area
6.2.2 Data Used
6.2.3 Methodology
6.3 Results and Discussion
6.4 Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
7 Analysis of Snow Dynamics in Beas River Basin, Western Himalaya Using Combined Terra–Aqua MODIS Improved Snow Product and in Situ Data During Twenty-First Century
Abstract
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Study Area
7.3 Materials and Methods
7.3.1 Meteorological Data
7.3.2 Statistical Analysis: Mann–Kendall Test
7.4 Results and Discussion
7.5 Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
8 Moraine Dammed Lakes Inventory in Satluj, Ravi, Chenab and Beas Basins of Himachal Pradesh, India
Abstract
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Study Area
8.3 Satellite Data Used
8.4 Methodology
8.5 Results and Discussions
8.5.1 Moraine Dammed Lakes Inventory of Chenab, Ravi, Satluj and Beas Basins in Himachal Pradesh by Using LISS III
8.5.2 Lakes Inventory of Chenab Basin
8.5.3 Lakes Inventory in the Beas Basin
8.5.4 Lakes Inventory of Ravi Basin
8.5.5 Lakes Inventory of Satluj Basin
8.6 Conclusions
References
9 Late Quaternary Glacial Geomorphology of Kashmir Valley, NW Himalayas: A Case Study of the Sind Basin
Abstract
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Study Area
9.3 Methodology
9.4 Results
9.4.1 Cirques
9.4.2 Arête
9.4.3 Moraines
9.4.4 U Shaped Valleys
9.4.5 Morphotectonic Inferences
9.5 Discussion
9.6 Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
10 Snow Cover and Land Surface Temperature Assessment of Mana Basin Uttarakhand India Using MODIS Satellite Data
Abstract
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Area of Study
10.3 Methodology
10.3.1 Objective
10.3.2 Data Sets Used
10.3.3 Estimation Methods
10.4 Results and Discussion
10.4.1 Spatial Variability of Climatic Variables Over Four Different Zones
10.4.2 Winter Temperature Trends
10.4.3 Pre-monsoon Temperature Trends
10.4.4 Trend Analysis of Monthly LST (Zone II)
10.4.5 Trend Analysis of Monthly LST Values (Zone III)
10.4.6 Trend Analysis of Monthly LST Values (Zone IV)
10.4.7 Trend Analysis of Monthly Mean LST Values (Zone V)
10.4.8 Snow Cover Variability During 2001–2018
10.5 Conclusions
References
11 Seasonal Ground Water Fluctuation Monitoring Using GRACE Satellite Technology Over Punjab and Haryana During 2005–2015
Abstract
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Study Area
11.3 Data and Methodology
11.4 Results and Discussions
11.5 Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
12 Importance of Regulating Transboundary Aquifers in the World with Special Reference to Indian Subcontinent: A Review
Abstract
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Review of Literature
12.3 Transboundary Aquifers of the World
12.4 Transboundary Aquifers in the Indian Subcontinent
12.5 Problems Related to Transboundary Aquifers
12.6 Management of Transboundary Aquifers
12.7 Conclusion
12.8 Recommendations
Acknowledgements
References
13 Chemical Weathering in Jhelum River and its Tributaries, Kashmir Basin, Western Himalaya
Abstract
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Study Area
13.2.1 Geography and Climate
13.2.2 Geomorphology and Geology
13.3 Materials and Methods
13.4 Results and Discussion
13.4.1 Stream Water Chemistry
13.4.2 Streambed Sediment Texture
13.4.2.1 Graphic Mean Size (Mz)
13.4.2.2 Graphic Standard Deviation (σI)
13.4.2.3 Skewness and Kurtosis
13.4.3 Sediment Chemistry
13.4.4 Chemical Weathering in the Area
13.4.4.1 Total Dissolved Load
13.4.4.2 Total Dissolved Load in Water
13.4.4.3 Dissolved Flux
13.4.4.4 Chemical Weathering Rate
13.4.4.5 Silicate Weathering Rate and Carbonate Weathering Rate
13.4.4.6 Chemical Index of Alteration and Weathering
13.4.4.7 Resistant Index of Maturity
13.4.5 Weathering and Anthropogenic Impact
13.5 Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
14 Groundwater Storage Assessment Using Effective Downscaling GRACE Data in Water-Stressed Regions of India
Abstract
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Study Realm
14.3 Methodology
14.3.1 Effective Downscaling of Grace Data
14.3.2 Detailed Process of Downscaling
14.4 Implications from Grace Data Downscaling in Mehsana District, Gujarat
14.5 Conclusion
References
15 Water Quality of Himalayan Rivers in Uttarakhand
Abstract
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Watershed and LULC Map
15.3 Water Quality of Himalayan Rivers
15.3.1 Ton River
15.3.2 Bhagirathi River
15.3.3 Ramganga River
15.3.4 Ganga River, Rishikesh
15.3.5 Kumaun Rivers
15.4 Water Quality Parameters and Their Status in Himalayan Rivers in Uttarakhand
15.4.1 pH
15.4.2 Conductivity
15.4.3 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
15.4.4 Turbidity
15.4.5 Alkalinity
15.4.6 Hardness
15.4.7 Calcium (Ca2+)
15.4.8 Magnesium (Mg2+)
15.4.9 Chloride (Cl−)
15.4.10 Sulfate (SO42−)
15.4.11 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
15.5 Conclusion
References
16 Sources of Solute and Hydrochemical Analysis of Gangotri Glacier Meltwater
Abstract
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Study Area
16.2.1 Regional Geology of Study Site
16.2.2 Sample Collection
16.2.3 Onsite Measurements
16.2.4 Laboratory Analysis
16.2.4.1 Hydrochemical Analysis
16.2.5 Petrographic Analysis
16.3 Results and Discussion
16.3.1 Hydrochemistry of Glacier Meltwater
16.3.2 Sources of Solutes and Hydrochemical Characteristics of Meltwater
16.3.3 Ionic Flux Computation and Denudation Rate of the Ions
16.3.4 Hydrochemical Facies of Meltwater and Partial Pressure of CO2
16.3.5 Statistical Analysis
16.4 Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
17 Geochemical Characterization and Evolution of Groundwater in Parts of Kashmir Valley, Western Himalaya
Abstract
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Study Area
17.2.1 Geology and Geomorphology
17.3 Materials and Methods
17.4 Results and Discussion
17.4.1 Geochemical Characteristics of Groundwater
17.4.2 Spatio-Temporal Variation of Geochemical Characteristics of Groundwater
17.4.3 Sources of Major Ions in Groundwater
17.4.4 Hydrogeochemical Facies
17.4.5 Chemical Classification and Relationships of Groundwater Types
17.4.5.1 Ca–HCO3 and Ca-(Mg)-HCO3
17.4.5.2 Hybrid/Mixed Cation-Bicarbonate Water
17.4.6 Chemical Evolution of Groundwater
17.4.7 Factors Controlling the Behavior of Major Ions
17.5 Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
18 Delineation of Groundwater Potential Recharge Zone Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques—A Case Study of Rampur Tehsil, Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh India
Abstract
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Study Area
18.3 Materials and Methods
18.4 Results and Discussion
18.4.1 Landuse and Landover
18.4.2 Geology
18.4.3 Soil
18.4.4 Geomorphology
18.4.5 Slope
18.4.6 Lineaments
18.5 Groundwater Potential Recharge Zones
18.6 Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
19 Geospatial Approach for Water Quality Index Mapping for Drinking Purpose in Guna District, Madhya Pradesh, India
Abstract
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Study Region
19.3 Data Used
19.4 Methodology
19.4.1 Field Survey
19.4.2 Water Quality Analysis
19.4.3 GIS Processing
19.4.4 Water Quality Index (WQI)
19.5 Results
19.5.1 Water Quality Index
19.6 Discussion
19.6.1 pH
19.6.2 Turbidity
19.6.3 Fluoride
19.6.4 Chloride
19.6.5 Total Hardness
19.6.6 Iron
19.6.7 Total Coliform
19.6.8 Total Dissolved Solid (TDS)
19.6.9 Water Quality Index (WQI) of Guna District
19.7 Conclusions
19.8 Recommendations
Acknowledgements
References
20 Application of Environmental Isotopes and Hydrogeochemistry in Groundwater Management—A Case Study of Bringi Watershed, Kashmir Himalayas, India
Abstract
20.1 Introduction
20.2 Area of Study
20.3 Geology and Hydrogeology
20.4 Methodology
20.5 Results
20.5.1 Precipitation
20.5.2 Streams
20.5.3 Springs
20.5.4 Tritium (3H)
20.6 Discussion
20.6.1 Geochemical Processes Controlling Chemistry of Water
20.6.2 Delineation Area of Recharge for Karst Springs Using Hydrogeological and Hydrogeochemical Approach
20.6.3 Isotopic Approach
20.7 Components and Mechanism of Groundwater Recharge
20.8 Residence Time of Groundwater
20.9 Quality of Water for Drinking, Agricultural and Livestock Purposes
20.10 Conclusions
20.11 Recommendations
Acknowledgements
References
Index
