Coastal environ of Maharashtra — Evolution and human activities (aided with satellite remote sensing)

Abstract

Coastal region of Maharashtra was tectonically active during Mio-Pliocene peroid, and subsequently exogenetic processes were more powerful. Indian Remote Sensing Satellite LISS-I and Landsat-TM and MSS data have been used as an additional aid while carring out field surveys and investigations in interpretation and deriving conclusions related to the fluvio-marine environs and influence of cultural activities on them. Paper suggests that (i) the evolution of the fluvio-marine environs are controlled by geologic, geomorphic and tectonic processes, (ii) human activities play significant role in land degradation, land use, marine erosion and accretion, and delineates zones to protect fluvio-marine environs, to arrest land degradation and improve land use situation.