Land resources analysis using GIS for sustainable agricultural land use : a case study in Thedtsho and Baap Block, Bhutan | |
| Author | Drukpa, Dungkar |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.SR-96-7 |
| Subject(s) | Geographic information systems Sustainable agriculture--Bhutan |
| Note | A thesis submitted in pa1tial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. SR-96-7 |
| Abstract | Agricultural land in Bhutan is limited mainly due to the mgged teITain and cold climates. In recent times, both due to increasing population as well as increasing developmental needs and its effects, this limited resomce has come under increasing pressure. There is, therefore, an urgency to look into means and possibilities of enswing land use sustainability. An attempt to begin this could be the gathe1ing of data on the vaiious aspects of land and adopting approp1iate techniques and methodologies to understand, analyze and plan its use. This study focused on the generation of data on land resources, specifically soil. A small ai·ea consisting of two administrative blocks were selected. Soil data in the ai·ea was gathered which was used along with the geologica~ slope, land use and land cover factors to prepare a soil map. Using this map, soil suitability for paddy was evaluated including an assessment of soil fe1tility and nuttient balance. The soil map was also used in combination with other physical and socio-economic parameters to assess and evaluate the area into suitability classes for paddy. On the basis of selected and relevant soil prope1ties and other vaiiables, the ai·ea was divided into erosion susceptibility zones. All spatial analysis were done with the use of Geographical Information Systems. The increasing demand for agticultural land was evident from the fact that all land that were classified as highly suitable as well as moderately suitable were already under intensive cultivation. Most of the land under marginal suitability class were also already under cultivation. There is no way to increase the supply ofland to meet the demand that will only increase, other than to increase yield from the existing land through crop intensification and finther research and development. The prospects of expanding agticultural land is further limited by the fact that a lot of the area is already degraded or is highly susceptible to erosion. Given this reality, this study recommends the need to rehabilitate degraded lands where possible, p1io1itize land use allocation, proper management of areas that has already been brought under plantation (reforestation) and strong coordination among the va1ious organizations involved in the development of the area. Fwther studies are required to understand more about the fym and guide fa1mers on the application offe1tilizers. |
| Year | 1996 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. SR-96-7 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Space Technology Application and Research (SR) |
| Chairperson(s) | Apisit Eiwnnoh; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Kaew Nualchawee;Lantican, Celso B.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | DANIDA-AIT Program; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1996 |