Syed Jamil Hasan Kazmi

Application of remote sensing and gis for the monitoring of diseases: A unique research agenda for geographers

Vector‐borne diseases are a heavy burden on the population of the world, especially for the poor people of developing countries. With traditional methods inadequate for control and eradication, remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) offer potential to combat these diseases through development of risk maps, that is, maps which show areas where human populations live in environmental conditions susceptible to disease infestation. However, appropriate application requires proper training of health scientists in these technologies and of geographers in the field of epidemiology and public health. To help achieve this goal, this paper provides: (a) a review of the impact of RS and GIS on the monitoring of vector‐borne diseases, (b) an evaluation of the contribution of geographers, (c) an examination of the role and significance of geography in this area of research, and (d) a proposal for a research agenda for geographers in this growing field of inquiry.

Spatial Framework for the Assessment of Road Traffic Accidents in Karachi

Karachi, the most populous city of Pakistan, is entangled by an ever increasing health problem of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) in the recent past with ranked 4 th in the world stats of highest road fatalities cities. The most devastating problem is that it is affecting the most productive age group. Nearly 300 RTA victims were interviewed last year and questioned about different socio-economic aspects of road crashes. This has demonstrated that the RTAs cases were observed between the age group of 18-45 years in Karachi. The problem is not only resulting financial losses but also social burden as well as pain, grief, psychological trauma in many cases and suffering for the effects which is certainly an irreparable damage. The prime objective of this study is to highlight the spatial variation most affected age group under threat of road traffic accidents in Karachi. This has been achieved by using a stratified random sampling technique and targeting the effects of RTA. Information was collected and analyzed and spatial pattern of RTAs in terms of accident location has been displayed with high and low RTA cases caused injuries and fatalities. Town based Road Accidents maps were developed in ArcGIS 10.1 to show the spatial patterns of road accidents. This study approaches with emphasis the miserable outcome of road accidents on the specific age grouped people because they are mostly involved in road crashes and also the future prospect of the country.

Evaluation of Prevalence Patterns of Dengue Fever in Lahore District through Geo-Spatial Techniques

Dengue and its impacts are growing environmental, economic and health concerns in Lahore. Disease pattern is important to know for better control and effective management, GIS is one of the tested tools and quite efficient for this purpose. In this study, firstly month-wise dengue cases mapping for seven consecutive years (2007-2013) is performed in order to reveal temporal or seasonal pattern of dengue disease in Lahore district. Then a composite analysis was conducted using Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) technique in order to show dengue most affected locations (towns) and in this analysis, all cases of the study period (2007-2013) were appended and visualized by IDW. Temporally, September (6548 cases) was the most dengue affected month of all years whereas February (4 cases) was marked as least affected throughout the dengue incidence period. Endemic Foci is noticed in 2011 most affected months. This cluster of disease is agglomerated near Ravi River and Densely Populated Towns, which further aggravated the incidence of dengue in economically deprived areas. Data Gunj Baksh town was the most affected town and IDW results showed that this town is composite endemic foci where cases were agglomerated most frequently. The reason of prevalence in this town would possibly be due to its more density of population and proximity of Ravi River.

Monitoring the diversity of malaria and dengue vector in Karachi: studying variation of genera and subgenera of mosquitoes under different ecological conditions

IntroductionKarachi, a city of unique terrain and moderate tropical climate, is home to several mosquito species. The geographical distribution and density of these species may vary within the city, owing to their interaction with an ever-increasing population and urban settings. As a consequence, the prevalence of vector-borne diseases is unpredictable within the geographical limits of Karachi city. In this spatiotemporal study, 1,156 mosquito samples were collected from 50 study sites with unique ecological characteristics within the city and a taxonomical exercise was conducted to investigate different vector species thriving in different months and seasons of the year. The main genera of mosquitoes were identified and categorized using a pictorial key based on the standard guidelines of the Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit, substantiated with ancillary literature.ResultsThree important genera were found in Karachi: Anopheles, Aedes and Culex. Important subgenera were subsequently identified, based on their susceptibility to major vector-borne diseases. January had the highest concentration of adult mosquitoes, as the colder weather conditions were suitable for breeding. May recorded the lowest number, owing to excessively hot weather when most of the breeding pockets had dried out; less vegetation (in pre-monsoon conditions) prevented mosquito growth.ConclusionsSlum areas showed an abundance of malaria and dengue vectors, owing to poor hygiene conditions caused by open sewage drains. Hence, a major precaution is to raise awareness among people about mosquito-borne diseases. The breeding habitats of these vectors should be studied using geospatial technologies to improve spatial and temporal coverage.

Spatial Appraisal of the Impacts of Drought on Agricultural Patterns in Karachi

Abstract: This paper is aimed at studying the spatial changes in agricultural patterns practiced in the suburbs of Karachi, which is the most densely populated city of Pakistan with high food demands of the inhabitants. This study deals mainly with Physical factors primarily climatic indicators to observe and analyze the changes in the pattern of agricultural production and the types of crops in last 20-30 years. Variability of climate when coupled with anthropogenic factors play important role in the acceleration of problems for farmers. Trends of associated agricultural output observed in different years of high and low rainfall. This study has successfully demonstrated inquisitive approach by using published secondary data from governmental sources and ground verification in recent times. Temporal variation in biomass, was found dependent upon pattern of rainfall and temperature etc. Study reveals that there are clear signs of desertification and drought in the study area.

Evaluation of Land Cover Changes at the Coast of Sindh through Successive Landsat Imageries

Satellite remote sensing is the most readily available and updated data source for detection, quantification, and mapping of Land-use/Land Cover (LULC) patterns and changes because of its repetitive data acquisition, digital format suitable for computer processing, and accurate geo-referencing procedures. The objective of the study is to analyze the land cover changes and to examine the Land Surface Temperature (LST) with other climatic effects on the Sindh coastal region. Satellite images of Landsat-7 ETM+, Landsat-5 TM and Landsat-8 OLI/TIRS were used in the study, acquired on March 08, 2000, November 20, 2009 and April 08, 2014 respectively. The land cover classes selected for the study are vegetation, mudflat, built-up/vacant land, shallow water and deep water. Maximum likelihood supervised classification and LST techniques were used in the study. The results of the classification mainly consist of land cover classes for 2000, 2009 and 2014, respectively. The land cover in the study area is under the serious threat of climate change. The major cause of ecological, environmental and land use degradation of Indus delta is reduction in fresh water flow, sea water intrusion and natural disasters. Sindh coastline is widely exposed to the disasters like heavy rains, floods, frequent storms and cyclones. This coast faces cyclones approximately every year. Eastern part of Sindh Province is at high risk of tropical cyclones. It is a huge threat to the land covers, biodiversity and human population.

Depleting Wetlands of Lower Sindh, Pakistan: A Spatio-Temporal Study through Satellite Remote Sensing

Wetlands are among the worlds most productive environments and are essential part of our landscape. They are the cradle of biological diversity and a vital component of the freshwater cycle. Wetlands provide countless benefits that include rich floral and faunal habitat, improved water quality, flood abatement, water storage and groundwater recharge, support of fisheries, and opportunities for education and recreation. Wetlands are dynamic ecosystems with complex interrelationships of hydrology, soils and vegetation. In Pakistan, wetlands cover approximately 9.7% (78,000 sq.km.) of its total area. However like other green areas these wetlands are also under tremendous environmental degradation. As a result, this important environmental source is depleting at an alarming rate. Therefore, an up to date scientific technology is required to monitor wetlands effectively. In this study the main task is to develop a GIS based wetlands inventory for the lower Sindh region in Pakistan. For this purpose, wetlands - on medium and high resolution satellite data have been identified and we also monitor the spatial and temporal changes in the wetlands within last ten years. Through this exercise it has established that the satellite remote sensing (SRS) and geographical information systems (GIS) are the state-of-the-art technologies for mapping, monitoring, and management of huge wetlands

Demarcation of Right of Way (ROW) and Re-Installation of Damaged Markers of Transmission Pipeline in Balochistan, Pakistan through Geomatics Technologies: A Case Study of Zarghun to Quetta High Pressure Natural Gas Supply

The alignment of gas pipelines in a rugged terrain has always been a serious challenge around the globe but they can be perfectly aligned with the help of Geo-Spatial technologies. When South Zarghun gas fields were discovered in Pakistan, gas transmission pipeline laying process between gas fields and Quetta city was as challenging task for the Government of Pakistan. Very rough terrain and extreme weather conditions especially in winter season were the two major constraints for the alignment of pipeline. Geomatics survey was essential before transmission pipeline construction work, done twice by private consultant in Pakistan’s local geographic coordinate system. SSGC took decision in 2006 for the construction of pipeline but unfortunately it could not be executed due to law & order situation in Pakistan especially in Balochistan province and later all bench marks of pipeline alignment route were vanished by the locals. In 2012, SSGC again started pipeline construction work on war steps. Previous pipeline alignment survey was converted into existing SSGC’s GIS coordinate system i.e. UTM Zone 42 WGS84 using ESRI ArcGIS software. Identification & re-installation of all bench marks and re-routing of pipeline were done by SSGC GIS survey team with the help of global positioning system (GPS) and satellite data. Finally, right of way (ROW) of transmission pipeline from Zarghun gas fields to Quetta city was designed and produced in the form of GIS map for pipeline construction activities.

Monitoring and Measuring Surface Water in Semi-Arid Environment Using Satellite Data: A Case Study of Karachi

Water is a dynamic and precious resource for all living creatures. Its significance is imperative for different sectors of economy at global and regional level. Sustainable use of land resources such as water is vital to carryout fundamental chores and has become an important area of investigation in developing and developed countries. Pakistan is an under developing country with agro-based economy and it is among the top of those countries which are facing acute water scarcity. World Bank has projected that by 2025 severe food shortage could be caused in Pakistan due to water scarcity. Karachi is the most populous city of Pakistan with high consumption of water and food but semi arid climate conditions and drastic variability in rainfall pattern make it prone to desertification and drought. In Karachi Hydrological drought is closely associated with agricultural drought. Hence, monitoring, quantification and mapping of water is vital for better planning. This Study is aimed at monitoring spatio-temporal variation of surface water in Karachi using Geoinformatic techniques. For this purpose four satellite images of Landsat -7 ETM + were used. Through NDWI spatial distribution of water and its seasonal variation was observed and maps of water availability in each Union council of Karachi using software ArcMap 10.1 were also developed for the quick and better interpration. Use of modern state of the art Remote sensing data coupled with GIS for the monitoring of land resources has proved very significant for evaluating the potential of resources in different administrative units for planning and decision making.

A Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Green Turtle Habitat at Hawkes Bay, Karachi through Geo-Informatics Techniques

Hawkes Bay site is one of the major favorable nesting sites for green turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) in Pakistan. Many environmental factors influence the nesting patterns of green turtles at this beach. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the importance of monitoring habitat of wildlife with the help of GIS and remote sensing. Seasonal influence on nesting pit density is quite noticeable on high resolution imageries. Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis was used to highlight the strong relation of temperature and nesting pits. As a result of this research monitoring of spatio-temporal variation and impacts of temperature rise on nesting grounds observed.