Laxmi Kant Sharma

Assessment of land consumption rate with urban dynamics change using geospatial techniques

Land consumption is increasing rapidly with the exponential growth of population. The built-up environment configuration influences the management processes for development and other municipality works. Population growth also affects the availability of land for different purposes in its spatial distribution. The present study was conducted using satellite remote sensing data Landsat MSS (Multi-spectral Scanner), ETM+ (Enhanced Thematic Mapper), IRS P-6 (Indian Remote Sensing Satellite), LISS IV (Linear Imaging Self-Scanner), and IRS P-5 Cartosat-1 for the assessment of urban area change dynamics between years 1976 and 2008 in Bhagalpur city in the state of Bihar in India. The ground truth and coordinate points were collected using a Global Positioning System (GPS) for the location of the built-up themes prepared in the Geographic Information System (GIS). Land Consumption Rate (LCR) and Land Absorption Coefficient (LAC) were introduced to aid in the quantitative assessment changes. The results show a rapid growth in land consumption rate till 1976, reduction in 1999 and again increase in 2008.

Geospatial strategy for sustainable management of municipal solid waste for growing urban environment

This paper presents the implementation of a Geospatial approach for improving the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal suitability site assessment in growing urban environment. The increasing trend of population growth and the absolute amounts of waste disposed of worldwide have increased substantially reflecting changes in consumption patterns, consequently worldwide. MSW is now a bigger problem than ever. Despite an increase in alternative techniques for disposing of waste, land-filling remains the primary means. In this context, the pressures and requirements placed on decision makers dealing with land-filling by government and society have increased, as they now have to make decisions taking into considerations environmental safety and economic practicality. The waste disposed by the municipal corporation in the Bhagalpur City (India) is thought to be different from the landfill waste where clearly scientific criterion for locating suitable disposal sites does not seem to exist. The location of disposal sites of Bhagalpur City represents the unconsciousness about the environmental and public health hazards arising from disposing of waste in improper location. Concerning about urban environment and health aspects of people, a good method of waste management and appropriate technologies needed for urban area of Bhagalpur city to improve this trend using Multi Criteria Geographical Information System and Remote Sensing for selection of suitable disposal sites. The purpose of GIS was to perform process to part restricted to highly suitable land followed by using chosen criteria. GIS modeling with overlay operation has been used to find the suitability site for MSW.

Geospatial Strategy for Tropical Forest-Wildlife Reserve Biomass Estimation

This study focus on the biomass estimation of Sariska Wildlife Reserve using forest inventory and geospatial approaches to develop a model based on the statistical correlation between biomass measured at plot level and the associated spectral characteristics. The multistage statistical technique with incorporated the satellite data of IRS P-6 LISS III gives a precise estimation of biomass. Forest cover, forest stratum, and biomass maps were generated in the study. Spectral signatures along with tonal and textural variations were used to classify different forest types validated with GPS and ground truth data. Altitude dependent vegetation and contour information from toposheets were also considered while classifying imagery during interpretation. Sample plots were laid in study area with 0.1 ha area at intersect of the diagonals of the plots. DBH and height of all the trees inside the plot were measured and converted to biomass using volumetric equations depending upon specific gravity. The specific gravity of each tree species differ from each other and sometimes unique in different regions and varies from forest type of different regions. Estimation of tree biomass can serve as useful benchmark for future studies in related areas. Linear equation obtained was used as the model to generate final biomass map where predicted and estimated biomass were compared for each band of the satellite imageries. Linear, logarithm and power exponential models were compared to each other for correlation coefficient. Correlation between estimated and predicted AGB is 0.835 and coefficient of determination (r2) value is 0.698.

Fuzzy AHP for forest fire risk modeling

Purpose – The purpose of study is linked to management and policy‐making strategies, such as forest management, land use planning and sustainable management of natural resources. It aims to help prevent forest fire by taking precautions. It also aims to be helpful for authorities coping during the event of occurrence of fire.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology paradigm applied here is based on knowledge‐based and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) techniques. Knowledge‐based criteria involve topographic and different themes for risk assessment. The assignment of value given to equation is significant due to its importance.Findings – Results are in strong agreement with actual fire occurrences in the past years. The risk zones are identified according to past occurrence of fire. The gradients of low‐ to high‐risk zones are according to fuel, topographic features and weather conditions. Direction and aspect value were taken accordingly.Originality/value – The paper presents forest fire risk zones de...

Comparative assessment of crisp and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process for multi-criteria decision making in geographic information system (GIS)-based site suitability analysis for relocation of tigers

The Editor and Taylor & Francis, Publishers, are retracting the above article from publication in Geocarto International. This paper was originally made available as an Accepted Manuscript Online article 21 July 2011 and published online 12 August 2011 with DOI: 10.1080/10106049.2011.604139. The Editor and Taylor & Francis have received and investigated an allegation of misconduct on the part of the authors, who failed to adequately reference the thesis detailed below, nor did they properly identify or quote extracts from that work which subsequently appeared in the article, and appeared original to the article (now retracted) in Geocarto International.