Risk of Bio-diversity Degradation in North-East India and Prospect of Management with Geoinformatics: A Case Study of Assam

Abstract

AbstractThe North-Eastern part of India has been one of the richest regions of the world in respect of bio-diversity. The geographical location, physiographic and climatic characteristics of this region have together favoured the existence of rich, large and resourceful diversity of flora and fauna. The recent trend of human encroachments, followed by degradation through natural calamities of flood, soil erosion, etc. have been creating the risks of existence of environment and the species as well in the region. In the world map, this part of India’s north-east covers only 0.05 % (equivalent to 255,036 km2) of geographical area between 20°N and 29°30′N parallels and 89°46′E and 97°30′E meridians.The integrated tools of Geoinformatics provided facilities for accurate mapping, management of large volume of data, capabilities of complex geo-spatial problems analysis, etc.Assam is one of the states in North East India consisting naturally of micro variations in topography, climate, soil, flora and fauna, etc. Here, exist famous national parks, viz. Kaziranga, Manas, Nameri, Dibru-Saikhowa, and Orang. In addition to that the state has a large number of wildlife sanctuaries and along with some wildlife protected areas. These parks, sanctuaries and protected areas in the state have been confronting threats because of rapid population growth, encroachment and unplanned space management.In this paper an attempt has been made to highlight the current scenario of the degradation of Biodiversity in North-East India and application of Geoinformatics for problem solving in the case study area of Assam.KeywordsBio-diversityDegradationEncroachmentsFaunaFloraGeoinformaticsSpace management