Mapping and assessing land degradation vulnerability in Kangra district using physical and socio-economic indicators

Land degradation is a major problem in the fragile ecosystem of the Himalayan region. The steep slope with low forest cover and increasing human interference are the major factors of land degradation. Therefore, identification of severe degradation prone areas is necessary for implementing conservation strategies to retard the present rate of degradation processes. The aim of this study is to assess the vulnerable land degradation areas based on Space Application Centre (SAC/ISRO) guidelines and MEDALUS model. Indicators used to calculate the degradation vulnerability are geology, slope, aspect, soil type, rainfall, temperature, land use/land cover, population density, non-worker population and illiteracy. The results reveal that the areas with higher rainfall, less forest cover and large population are highly vulnerable to degradation in spite of moderate slope. The degradation vulnerability index values have been classified into five land degradation categories. The Pong dam is a large water body where the land degradation is nil. The low, moderate, high and very high land degradation categories account for 19.01, 22.79, 31.49 and 17.37% area of the district, respectively.