1

NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

PROGRAMME

Introduction
Human welfare depends on the continued supply of natural resources for fulfilling his
requirements. However, indiscriminate extraction of the resources may lead to
disruption/degradation of the environment. It is now widely accepted that environmental
degradation tends to increase with economic growth at lower levels of income per capita, but
at higher levels, degradation falls as income increases. In most of the developed countries, the
forces leading to change in composition and techniques of production may be sufficiently
strong to offsets the adverse effects of increased economic activity on the environment. The
scenario is quite different in the developing world. Reports reveal that mitigation of
environmental degradation within the natural resilience capability of the concerned
ecosystems is still the greatest challenge for most of the rapidly developing countries like
India. One of the best and recent examples is the case of the Western Ghats. Although there
are several indications of severe environmental degradation exists, lack of adequate
information on the environmental impact of developmental pressures on the ecosystem
structure and functions/ dynamics is a major lacuna challenging wise decision making on
problems related to Western Ghats provinces.
In this context, a detailed study is planned in the Western Ghat province of Peninsular India.
As small rivers are one of the most sensitive ecosystems and perhaps the first to be hit by
negative externalities of developmental pressures, in the first phase of the investigation, it is
planned to study the cases of two twin- river basins in the western flanks of the Western
Ghats - the Periyar- Chalakudi river systems (Kerala state) draining the granulite belt and
Netravathi-Gurupur river systems (Karnataka state) draining the Dharwar Craton - as
examples. These river basins host the fastest developing urban agglomerations in south India
such as the Kochi Metro and Mangalore City.
Objectives
In accordance with the administrative sanction for the Natural Resources and Environmental
Management programme, the research programme proposed will have the following broad
objectives:
1. To analyze the land system of selected river basins
2. To creation database for natural resources and environmental attributes
3. To monitor the land-based hazards such as landslides, coastal erosion etc. and prepare
appropriate management action plans for selected hotspots (?)
4. To apply the tools of earth science including remote sensing for societal welfare
Study area
The study will be pursued essentially in the area covering the river basins of PeriyarChalakudi and Netravathi-Gurupur. These are twin river systems in the Granulite province
and Dharwar craton of South India draining the western flank of the Western Ghats (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 Map showing location of the Periyar- Chalakudi (Kerala) and NetravathiGurupur (Karnataka) rivers basins
The Western Ghats and west coast of India are proposed as priority areas of study in the
Take-over proposal of NCESS. The western flank of Western Ghats is comprised of 3
provinces, the Granulite province, Dharwar craton, and Deccan Volcanics and to begin with
two major drainage systems, one each in granulite province and Dharwar craton are chosen to

study the natural resource dynamics and environmental stability/capacity. The natural
resource potential of these two twin basins provides the supportive capacity for two fast
growing harbour based urban centers namely the Kochi Metro and Mangalore City and in
turn, fuelling various satellite growth centers. Further, the impacts of growth beyond the
assimilative capacity of environment of these basins will limit the progression and it is
desirable to understand this in advance for sustainable development planning. The potential,
prospects and problems, so understood, will be of immense use and form agenda for the
three-tier development governance system, that of local (Panchayats/Municipalities), regional
(Districts) and State.
Prima facie, the two river systems, that of Netravati and Gurupuru rivers merging near the
Mangalore coast and Periyar and Chalakkudi rivers merging near Parakkadavu, near Kochi
have similarities. There are studies on the formational similarities, in the geologic past,
presumably during Early Holocene lowered sea levels. Further, Mangalore and Kochi are two
pollution hotspots identified through the long-term sea water quality monitoring programme
of the Ministry of Earth Sciences wherein considerable nutrient data and coastal pollution
status are known.
Study components
1. Analysis of terrain, landscape modifications and temporal changes in landuse for studying
the drivers and impacts of alterations and the implications on environment, especially the
water environment
2. Assessment of the changes in the hydrological regime due to climate, biota, land and
human induced alterations for analyzing the long-term and seasonal fluctuations in water
availability with respect to surface water and groundwater provinces
3. Evaluation of the fluvial processes, drainage anomaly, in-stream geomorphology, bank
characteristics for studying the evolution of drainage basins and linkages to neo-tectonics
4. Assessment of ecosystem kinetics of river basins with respect to biodiversity, nutrient
flux, green house gas dynamics etc for appraising the ecological health of the basins
5. Evaluation of the changes in land and water quality on account of pollution from various
sources, impact of pollutants using migration and speciation studies for assessing the
implications on vulnerable ecosystems like lakes and coastal zone, primary sectors of
agriculture and fisheries and emerging sector of tourism
6. Application of modern remote sensing tools for mapping and monitoring critical terrains
and vulnerable areas such as impacted vegetation, polluted zones, algal blooms etc.
7. Generating database on land, water and biomass for different levels, present state of
resource development and interrelationship between natural resource potential and levels
of socio-economic development for evolving the supportive and assimilative capacities of
the river basin ecosystem for precision management propositions.
Work elements
1. Analysis of terrain, landscape modifications and temporal changes in landuse
Compilation of existing data on terrain and landuse for Periyar-Chalakkudi basins and
gap filling

Generate multi-temporal landuse data for the study area using satellite and
topographic maps

Carry out terrain evaluation on water-shed basis

Delineate hotspots of land modifications and their status and study the drivers and
pressures

Evaluate the impacts on natural resources and environment including mitigatory

responses

2. Assessment of the changes in the hydrological regime due to climate, biota, land and
human induced alterations
Generate long-term database on rainfall and runoff and groundwater fluctuations
mainly using secondary data
Evaluate spatio-temporal run-off variations and their externalities
Generate primary data on hydrological and hydrogeological aspects on microwatershed basis for scenario building and hydrological modeling
Evaluate the impact of in-situ interventions on hydrology and hydrogeology
Evaluate the ex-situ changes on the inflow of water
Assess the climate and hydrology linked hazards and disaster possibilities and their
prognostic projections
3. Evaluation of the fluvial processes, drainage anomaly, in-stream geomorphology, bank
characteristics
Compile/prepare the drainage maps of the basins using topographical maps/aerial
photographs/satellite imageries and ground truth studies
Carry out drainage analysis and evaluate the anomalies causative mechanisms
Conduct geomorphological mapping and evaluation of streams and rivers and water
and sediment dynamics
Carry out bank characteristics and stability studies and evaluate the morphological
changes
Evaluate the implications of in-situ interventions and ex-situ changes on the river
morphology
4. Assessment of ecosystem kinetics of river basins with respect to biodiversity, nutrient
flux, green house gas dynamics etc
Identify the biodiversity hotspots based on secondary data such as Panchayath
Biodiversity registers, State of the Environment Reports and such other studies and
information
Evaluate the biodiversity implications on the ecosystem and impacts on natural and
social environmental attributes and resources
Assess the quantity of nutrients as geochemical influx through the river systems into
the coastal region and thereby to the Lakshadweep sea and corroborate the findings
with the long-term nutrient data from the Coastal Ocean Monitoring programme.

Evaluate the atmospheric radiations and its implications on the ecosystems kinetics
and vice-versa
Study the carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) dynamics in soil in comparison to the
amount of carbon in the atmosphere and vegetation
Budget various forms of soil carbon and highlight the importance of soil carbon
storage and conducive soil amendments and their implications on GHG emission,
ocean acidification etc.

5. Evaluation of the changes in air and land and water quality on account of pollution from
various sources, impact of pollutants using migration and speciation studies
Study the chemical limnology of nutrient flux, heavy metals and other pollutants
including organics
Identify the sources, fate and transport of ChemBio components using tracer
techniques
Study the contaminant transport mechanism in saturated and unsaturated media
Assess the distribution pattern of ChemBio components within and at the interfaces of
SAW (Soil, Air, Water) and evaluate the geochemical aspects
Carry out biomagnification studies on mercury in the aquatic system
Conduct speciation studies, oxidative state changes and long & short term molecular
level dynamics of chemical constituents (e.g. soil organic sulphur and
organic/inorganic Hg/As)
Develop hydrogeochemical models to monitor and predict the fate and health of the
ecosystem under natural and anthropogenic stress and also attempt to incorporate
biological aspects
Identify the air quality and noise level hotspots based on secondary data and hotspot
monitoring and incorporate the attributes for evaluation of the environment quality
6. Application of modern remote sensing tools for mapping and monitoring critical terrains
and vulnerable areas
Develop in-house capabilities for hyperspectral remote sensing studies by procuring
and establishing field spectrometers for visible-near infrared and thermal infrared
region, laboratory reflectance spectrometer and laboratory emissivity spectrometer
and imaging softwares and accessories
Generate rock and mineral spectral library for characterization of spectral features
used in hyperspectral image analysis
Conduct lithological mapping of different geological provinces
Attempt hyperspectral remote sensing studies for exploration of Kaolinite clay
deposits and mapping and monitoring critical and vulnerable areas such as impacted
vegetation, polluted zones, algal blooms etc.
7. Generating database on land, water and biomass for different levels, present state of
resource development and interrelationship between natural resource potential and levels
of socio-economic development

Organize spatial/non spatial data in conformity with the Data centre frame work of
NCESS for storage, management and retrieval
Compile a spatio-temporal statement on the supportive capacity of resources and
assimilative capacity of environment of the river basin
Prepare thematic river basin atlas for the use of planners and developers
Suggest the short-term and long-term environmental and resource management plans
Evaluate the business-as-usual scenario and project a long-term alternative and
preferred development scenario based on the environmental changes, resource
dynamics and social demand

Budget
The budget available under the Administrative Order and made available as per the decisions
of the Finance Committee will be used. The tentative budget estimate as proposed in the
Administrative order is given below.
Sl No

Item with technical details

NON-RECURRING

A1

Equipments/Software (As approved in

the Administrative Order)

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Total
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 (Rs. lakh)

322.00

505.00

478.00

1305.0

B1 Manpower (for project mode staff only)

12.00

75.00

95.00

182.00

B2

Travel

4.00

18.00

25.00

47.00

B3

Consumables

3.00

10.00

12.00

25.00

B4

Repair & Maintenance

1.00

12.00

20.00

33.00

B5

Contingency

3.00

15.00

20.00

38.00

B6

Vehicle Hire

3.00

10.00

15.00

28.00

Sub-Total (B)

26.00

140.00

187.00

353.00

Total (A+B)

348.00

645.00

665.00

1658.00

B. RECURRING

Equipment
The required equipment for the proposed study is approved in the Administrative Order and
will be useful for undertaking. Wherever necessary, support of external laboratories will be
utilized.
Research team
The research team will comprise of the following scientists.
1. Dr. R. Ajayakumar Varma Scientist G (Geophysics)
2. Dr. D. Padmalal
Scientist F (Geology)

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Dr. Ansom Sebastian

Dr. K. Maya
Mr. B.K. Jayaprasad
Dr. A. Krishnakumar
Dr. Anoopkrishnan
Dr. Archana Nair

Scientist E2 (Chemistry)
Scientist E2 (Geology)
Scientist E2 (Geography)
Scientist C (Geology)
Scientist C (Chemistry)
Scientist B (Geology)

Further, Project Scientists and Research Fellows will be recruited as per the actual necessity
and justification and as approved in the Administrative Order. Inter institutional
collaborations and Intra institutional collaborations will also be required in specific areas
which will be reported and permission taken from time to time.
Output
The project will have the following outputs
Environmantal and Natural Resource Database in a storage & retrieval framework
Quantitative information on the supportive capacity of resources and assimilative
capacity of environment
River basin atlas with thematic maps and attributes for development decisions
Suggestions for short-term and long-term environmental and resource management
plans
Futuristic, alternative and preferred development scenario based on the business-asusual scenario
Outcome
Prudent utilization of natural resources within the framework of sustainability for
deriving maximum social benefits, especially in the eventuality of climate change
Agenda of development and conservation of natural resources and preservation and
improvement of environmental quality as two complementary activities of highest
necessity
Management planning framework for geological resources of larger time-frame and
ecosystem resources (forest, landuse, water, fishery, agriculture etc) of smaller duration.
Activity for the next six months
Prepare and finalize the base map for the study area and carry out reconnaissance survey
Prepare/compile the sub watershed and micro watershed map along with drainage details
Compile the existing spatial and non-spatial data on terrain and land use
Initiate collection/procurement of data products including high resolution images
Collection of rainfall, discharge and groundwater fluctuation data from the IMD, CWC
and CGWB respectively
Establishment of AWS, one each in the four basins
Preliminary trend analysis of rainfall, discharge and groundwater level
Initiate detailed drainage analysis and delineate anomalous areas
Gather secondary data on biodiversity and carry out the compilation

Compile the long-term nutrient data available for Mangalore and Kochi
Identify and locate the first-level environment hotspots based on secondary information
Evolve criteria and fix the sampling locations for water and sediment
Pre-monsoon sampling of water and sediment and their analysis
Compile the methodology for studying contaminant transport mechanism in saturated and
unsaturated media
Continue the site-specific studies on groundwater recharge modelling
Initiate the development of in-house capabilities for hyper spectral remote sensing studies