A Geospatial Approach to Climatic Zone Specific Effective Horticultural Planning in East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya, India

Abstract

Climatic zone is one of the most important units for horticultural planning. Survival and failure of particular land use or farming system in a given region heavily relies on careful assessment of agroclimatic resources. Large variety of crops is being grown in Meghalaya traditionally, based on the needs and cultural practices of people without any consideration to the suitability of the climate. This study attempts to make adjustments with the climate based upon scientific knowledge to make the best use of the natural resources so as to recommend more area under horticultural crops. This has been made by identifying existing land use and appropriate land use strategies mainly for horticultural crops for each agro-climatic region. Modern Geospatial technology such as satellite Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) and GPS have been used effectively to provide newer dimensions in identifying suitable sites for various horticultural crops and also for appropriate monitoring and management of land resources in an integrated manner with reference to agro-climatic condition

Agro-ecological zonation of Uttarakhand using geo-spatial techniques

“…Naidu et al (2013) also delineated 17 Agro-ecological zones in Tamil Nadu state of India based on variability of soil, landform and length of growing period. Geospatial technologies such as satellite remote sensing and GIS have been used effectively in agroclimatic (Bisht et al 2012) and agro-ecological zonation (Bal et al 2018) for suitability of different crops (Goswami et al 2012, Abdel Rahman et al 2016) and for sustainable development. Remote sensing and GIS has the ability to capture and analyse geographic data at a very large spatial and temporal scale, thereby providing a more systematic and dynamic approach to agro-ecological zonation for better use of natural resources and agro-technology transfer than the traditional and somewhat limited approaches.…”

Effectiveness of Fuzzy Overlay Function for Multi-Criteria Spatial Modeling—A Case Study on Preparation of Land Resources Map for Mawsynram Block of East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya, India

“…For example, the accessibility to services, facilities and amenities is an essential factor for evaluation of potential sites for infrastructure development [2] [3]. Spatial analysis has been effectively used to provide newer dimensions in identifying suitable sites for various horticultural crops and also for appropriate monitoring and management of land resources in an integrated manner with reference to agro-climatic condition [4]. Chutia 2010 developed an efficient election management system where multi-criteria modeling was used for identification of scientific location of polling stations [5].…”

Redescription and geographic distribution of Raorchestes shillongensis (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India

“…The type locality of Raorchestes shillongensis in Malki forest (25°33'45'' N,91°53'19'' E; lies in the Shillong City of East Khasi Hills District ( Figure 1). The region receives about 9,000-11,000 mm of rain annually (Goswami et al 2012). The Khasi Hills support a subtropical wet hill forest that is dominated by pine trees and considerable amount of grasslands with some scattered, broadleaf trees (Champion andSeth 1968, Mahony et al 2013).…”