08-10-2016, 09:38 AM
MANGROVES AND LANDUSE MAPPING OF SAGAR, LOTHIAN AND JAMBUDWIP ISLANDS OF SUNDERBANS, WEST BENGAL
1458289238-abstractnatesh.docx (Size: 20.95 KB / Downloads: 5)
Abstract
India has a long coastline of about 7500 km including island territories, which consists of a variety of coastal habitats such as estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, etc. these coastal areas and areas of endangered animals are unique, fragile and exhibit high biodiversity supporting several as “critical habitats’ as plants and animals. By virtue of these habits located in coastal areas, their high productivity and the services they offer, they are subjected to ecological pressure due to natural process and human interventions. The combined pressure causes changes in these critical habitats leading to deterioration and loss of area over the years. There is a need to protect these productive areas from natural and human interventions while ensuring sustainable, rational utilization of their resources and services. Mangroves are salt tolerant plants. They are found in tropical and subtropical coastal areas. Full development of mangrove forest is found in areas of high rain fall or in areas where rivers furnish enough fresh water to preclude the development of hypersaline condition. Mangrove in the coastal zone is a source of enrichment for marine environment. Mangroves have been exploited by mankind and nature for various uses. Thus these habitats must be protected and monitored periodically by mapping so we can understand the changes occur in its habitat.GIS is the best tool to map the mangrove forest at high precision. In these study the Sagar, Lothian and Jambudwip of Sunderban in West Bengal is taken. It will be mapped using GIS and it will publish online. Organisation institutes all around the world can access this data and can be used without editing. The study also targeted to determine the changes in mangrove forest over a period.