Remote Sensing Techniques for Regional Development

This work focuses on importance of Remote Sensing Techniques for acquisition, analysis and interpretation of Geographical Information in Regional Studies. These modern techniques fall within the ambit of Developmental Studies. The author chooses study areas exhibiting different types of landforms with different regional set-up viz. the Himalayan foothills, Rishikesh Hardwar region, a typical plateau region of Sambalpur District, and Mahanadi Delta along with it’s adjoining coastal plain facing Bay of Bengal. As a prelude to the study, the basic principles of Remote Sensing along with Photo-interpretation and Techniques of deciphering information from Satellite Imageries have been discussed. Technical aspects of Remote Sensing in Geographical Analysis are also explained in detail. This is followed by case studies of three type regions of the country with diverse geographical personalities and problems by this technique with precision. With the satellite imageries and air photographs the author has analysed the landforms and soil types of the area. The morphology, functions and demographic characteristics of Hirakud, Bargarh and Burla towns have been portrayed by utilising this technique. Regional aspects of Mahanadi Delta have also been worked out from the Satellite imagery by using (MSS Band), thereby bringing out terrain and habitat pattern of the deltaic and coastal regions. This book is an example of depicting the future potentialities of the sophisticated techniques used in understanding regional development even for a country as diverse and as problematic as India.