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Nat. Env. & Poll. Tech.
Website: www.neptjournal.com
Received: 24-01-2021
Revised: 22-03-2021
Accepted: 14-04-2021
Key Words:
Terrain
Geomorphology
Foothills
GIS
Digital terrain analysis
ABSTRACT
Terrain characteristics and their evaluation usually come under geomorphological study and more particularly the applied geomorphological study (Prasad & Sarkar 2011). Foothills are a geographically defined zone having a gradual increase in elevation at the base of a mountain or hill range. Detailed assessment of the present terrain parameters of the study area using GIS is significant as it shows the influence on the landscape of the area. It is a prerequisite in effective management of the impact of transition upon the landscape and its natural resources for sustainable management. In the study, an attempt has been made to delineate the foothill belt of the Assam-Meghalaya border in Kamrup District, Assam using Geographical Information system (GIS), and remote sensing techniques. Datasets available from USGS Earth Explorer, i.e. Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) are used for analyzing the elevation, contour, slope, and terrain characteristics. The present study aims at getting an information archive of the geomorphological and terrain characteristics of the Assam-Meghalaya foothills in Kamrup District, Assam, and its spatiotemporal variations.
INTRODUCTION
The general configuration of the landscape, its geology, climate, and other natural features define the terrain. Terrain means landscape or the 'Lay of land'. Terrain classification is a process of classifying the earth's surface based on the similarities in terrain properties, geomorphology, geological and morphometric properties, soil types, etc. into different units (Saha et. al. 2019). Evaluation of terrain characteristics and analysis of geo-environmental changes are considered important themes in geographical studies. With the introduction of digital spatial technology, the use of quantitative measurements to evaluate, monitor, and interpret landform changes is becoming more prevalent (Summerfield 1997, Wood 1996). The analysis of the terrain characteristics included delineation of the various terrain features, such as elevation, elevation profile, geology, hydrogeology, geomorphological units, soil, and contours. The landforms observed in the present day are the result of the long-term interactions between the elements of the geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere (Manjare et.al. 2020). Surface subsurface materials, as well as the area's landforms, are depicted in the representation of geomorphological features. Sketches and maps of landscapes and landforms (Dykes...