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  • Essay / Satellite data based natural resource mapping of Banni grasslands, Kachchh district, Gujarat, India.

    Table of contentsIntroduction: MethodologyResult and discussionConclusionNatural resources provide a range of interrelated environmental functions and socio-economic benefits , which support a variety of livelihood strategies for different actors in the local community. Banni Grassland Reserve forms a belt of arid grassland ecosystem, located in the northern part of Kachchh district. This area is known for its rich wildlife and biodiversity and extends over an area of ​​2,617 square kilometers. Different types of flora and fauna species present in this region. It is very important to observe and monitor this region by applying advanced technology such as geographic information science with various remote sensing data. Regarding the Banni region, the soils are moderately to highly saline and are prone to flooding. Due to this flooding factor, vegetation also varies. Invasive species such as Prosopis juliflora have played a significant role in damaging the ecosystem by decimating grassy areas. This region is totally dependent on livestock farming. This region is home to a pastoral community locally called Maldhari and has camels, sheep, goats, cattle and buffalo. In addition to these natural resources; the long coastal line also contributes a significant part to the district's economies. The natural resource map was prepared with advanced remote sensing technology for the pastoral community to discover suitable vegetation for their grazing animals. Increasing grazing pressure is also a major problem in this region. Thus, the use of space technology in this region will be a great success for the development of the pastoral community as well as for its ecosystem conservation plan. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayIntroduction:We are all aware that there is no place on our earth where a habitat of flora or fauna thrives without a suitable environment. The Rann is flat, consisting largely of salt and mud. Increased grazing pressure implies a reduction in the production of palatable species and an increase in the proportion of unpalatable as well as woody species. Livestock is the main means of subsistence. Furthermore, the socio-economic survey carried out by Joshi et al. (2009) showed that Banni communities are highly dependent on natural grasslands for various purposes. Livestock-based income is the mainstay of Banni, estimated at Rs. 7,700/cattle/year and Rs. 13,400/buffalo/year. Local perceptions of grassland change and priorities for natural resource conservation in Banni, Gujarat, India, show the dynamic change in biodiversity. The endangered species are due to the influence of several factors mentioned by Joshi, PN et al 2009. The Banni has an area of ​​2,617 km2. and has 48 villages, which are regulated by 19 panchayats (local governor's body) under state administration. Banni is derived from a Kachchhi word “Bani” which means “Banni hui” in Gujarat (invented); meaning that the earth was formed by detritus. The Banni grasslands, once considered the most beautiful grasslands in Asia, accounted for about 45 percent of the permanent pastures and 10 percent of the available pastures in the state. The total number of grazing animals is 18,68,290 and they are directly dependent on the natural vegetation. Natural resources providerange of interrelated environmental functions and socio-economic benefits, which support diverse livelihood strategies for different stakeholders in the local community. Furthermore, the socio-economic survey carried out by Joshi et al. (2009) showed that Banni communities are highly dependent on natural grasslands for various purposes. In particular, nine woody species were useful for the construction of a traditional house called Bhunga, for medicine and 22 for livestock fodder. Today, Prosopis juliflora (hereafter Prosopis) has become a widely distributed species in many parts of Kachchh district, especially in Banni region. Moreover, the spread of Prosopis may not be serious if we consider the whole of Kachchh, but the rate of increase in the spread in the Banni region was very high. The climate of Banni is therefore arid, the temperature is high most of the time and reaches a maximum of 48-49°C in May-June (the hottest months). The winter temperature drops to 1°C, with January and February being the coldest months. Total annual precipitation, which occurs during the southwest monsoon between June and September, is very low with an average of 317 mm per year. Increased grazing pressure implies a reduction in the production of palatable species and an increase in the proportion of unpalatable species as well as woody species. Local perceptions of grassland change and priorities for natural resource conservation in Banni show dynamic change in biodiversity. The grass species of Banni were classified into 6 main categories to know the distribution of vegetation on the grazing range of the pastoral community. MethodologyThis study followed several methods to achieve the objectives. Significant steps have been taken for the preparation of the vegetation map of the Banni region. These are as follows Satellite Imagery Resources LISS -III Sat-2 Data downloaded from Bhuvan website, NRSC (National Remote Sensing Center), Department of Space, Govt. of India with the help of the Sahjeevan organization. After downloading the raw data from the NRSC, a few additional steps were applied for the preparation of a false color composite (FCC) image (band: R=3, G=2, B=1) from the satellite data of the Banni region with the help of ARC GIS 10.4 and. Using ENVI 5.1 software, these steps were carried out, namely georectification, layer stacking, mosaicking and finally extracted the complete boundary-wise FCC image of the Banni region. Details of data used Details of satellite data: A) For this study area, Resource Sat-2 satellite data was used. The details of the data are given below in table no. (2-1). This satellite has a 23.5 mts LISS-III sensor. Spatial resolution, 4-band spectral resolution (B2: 0.52-0.59, (green), B3: 0.62-0.68 (red) B4: 0.77-0.86, (NIR) B5: 1 .55-1.70 (SWIR). The band is 141 km. For temporal variation in the region Google Earth satellite data was taken to visualize the different objects of the Banni grasslands. or secondary data: Auxiliary data is collected from Census of India (1997, 2011) and “Sahjeevan” (NGO), K-link organization (NGO). The most important step now is the identification of the FCC satellite image signature. Identifying the signature will depend on the image interpreter's knowledge and software expertise. Thus, the identification of the signature was carried out with the appropriate classification of the vegetation of the entire Banni area, based onthe field verification knowledge and with the enormous research experience of mentor Pankaj N. Joshi. After signature identification, the supervised classification process runs the signature values ​​and generates the FCC satellite image (.img format) of the Banni region. To verify the image processing result with the reliability of the ground truth, it is necessary to calculate the accuracy of the classified image. So the classified image was taken and a field investigation was carried out by hand. GPS receiver with another team member “Sahjeevan”. Completion of field verification in certain areas was recoded and re-run the classified process. Finally, we achieved better accuracy of the classified image and the final layout was prepared through Arc GIS 10.4 software as a natural vegetation map of the Banni region. Result and discussion The variation in biodiversity played a major role in this region. The ecological barriers in the west are river estuaries and swamp lands. The vegetation of the swamplands and the immediate interior is on the verge of collapse. The northern Middle Ridge, a vast expanse of Bannila land, is traditionally devoid of agriculture. These animals are involved in every aspect of their daily lives. The emphasis here is on agrobiodiversity and the development of agriculture cultivated in Kachchh. The Banni region has a large amount of dense Prosopis juliflora, an invasive species distributed in villages such as Mota luna, Luna, southern Hodko, northern Sargu, eastern Moti Dhadhar, northern Misariyado, southern Sarado, eastern Shervo, northern Raiyada and a western part of Banni as well. . This will pose a major threat to the future floral diversity of the region. In the current scenario, significant soil erosion, both due to wind and water, has been observed. Available land must be preserved from salinity and desertification. As tall trees with a high canopy, except Neem, Banyan and Peepal in small scattered stands, there is no naturally occurring windbreak. Shrubs and brush, with the exception of Prosopis juliflora, are not able to protect against erosion. High wind speed and high temperature increase evaporation of the soil and all living flora and fauna. Saving land and maintaining it for better agricultural use in a planned manner for the development of ecosystems while preserving agrobiodiversity is an immediate need. We must renounce the irresponsible or thoughtful use of technological applications. Corrective measures must be taken against the invasive species Prosopis juliflora and against charcoal producers. Some Banni peoples depend on the charcoal making process for their economic growth. This process helps to reduce the rate of invasive species, such as the Ganda Babool (Prosopis juliflora). In central Banni region like Mithdi, Bhagadio, western Luna, central Bhirindiyara, Mono Sarado, Nano Sarado has a combination of open prosopis, grass and other vegetations like Salvadora, Tamerix etc. These are available due to the physiographic landscape. Western Banni has dense acacia nilotica in Hajipir range and Sarado region, Mithadi, Hodka1, Central Bhiridiyara, Misariyado, Berdo Kharod has sparse distribution of open Prosopis juliflora. South Banni the Little Rann (LRK) means Charidhandh region has the different types of salt grass species like Aluerops with open prosopis juliflora. This combination of Aluerops with Prosopis.