Documentation of Surface Soil Characteristics as Indicator of Soil Erosion: A Case of East Khasi Hills in and around Shillong, Meghalaya

Authors

  • Dr. Snehasish Saha Assistant Professor, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, West Bengal, India
  • Bandana Sarkar Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal University, West Bengal, India
  • Mantu Das Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal University, West Bengal, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2023.v08.n05.016

Keywords:

Soil erosion, anthropogenic activity, slash and burn process, soil health

Abstract

Soil characteristics are the result of the interaction of pedogenic elements and processes in a specific location. The hilly and mountainous regions are equipped with a diverse set of environmental elements that impact soil spatial variability. This research work is mainly focused on documentation of surface soil characteristics of East Khasi Hills. So many factors are responsible for soil erosion here and dominantly the anthropogenic activities. With the increase of population, changing land use patterns with unscientific manners is one of the ecological phenomena in Meghalayan landscapes. This causes heavy soil erosion especially their agricultural activity such as slash and burn process that makes the land very infertile. Data on surface soil characteristics or surface soil status has been collected from primary field surveys. Base maps were prepared related to this research work with the help of Q-GIS (version 3.6) software and statistical analysis was done using MS Excel 2013 on the basis of both primary and secondary database. Rain induced soil erosion associated with supersaturated soil matrix failure is the major attestation of soil erosion here. Authors mainly have tried to make some inferences towards the correlation of surface soil characteristics and erodibility of the soil.

Author Biographies

Dr. Snehasish Saha, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, West Bengal, India

Dr. Snehasish Saha (M.A, Ph.D.) studied Geography in the undergraduate level and completed Post Graduate in Geography and Applied Geography from North Bengal University. His specialization was Agricultural Geography at the Undergraduate level and Fluvial Geomorphology at the Post Graduate level. He achieved 1st class 1st position in both UG and PG levels. He was conferred upon university medals for both UG and PG levels and Bidhuranjan Adhikary memorial medal for securing first class first position at PG level. He was recipient of UGC JRF award for twice. Presently, he is an Assistant Professor at the Dept. of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal since 2009 and supervising Ph.D. Research Scholars and M.Phil. Scholars. He has been working in the field of River Geomorphological studies and has published about 72 research papers in different National and International journals and chapters in edited book volume of his own and collaborative works with his Research Scholars and published one national level edited book volume. He has completed two University assisted Research Projects and he is carrying one DSTBT, WB assisted research project too. He has supervised three Ph.D. research scholars and four other ongoing Ph.D. research works are under his supervision and also supervised two M. Phil. scholars. He has been supervising one Junior Research Fellow under Research Project sponsored by DSTBT, West Bengal. He is the member of different academic societies like The Deccan Geographer, Hill Geographers (NEHU), Bangiyo Bhugol Mancha, Indian institutes of Geomorphologists etc. He has guided two UGC-SAP inducted students for small research works. He has been one of the editorial members of 07 SAP (UGC) book volumes (edited) since 2010 to 2019 and also worked as one of the editorial members of the department’s editorial volume, ‘Geographical Thoughts’. He completed his doctoral thesis in Geomorphology taking the case of Bank Erosion of River Ganga. He has participated in various national, international and regional level conferences, seminars and workshops (seminars – 73; webinar/workshop/STC – 26; special Lecture – 21; chairperson/co-chairperson - 09) etc. His future targets are to work in different fields of Geomorphology and Geoinformatics.

Bandana Sarkar, Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal University, West Bengal, India

Soil characteristics are the result of the interaction of pedogenic elements and processes in a specific location. The hilly and mountainous regions are equipped with a diverse set of environmental elements that impact soil spatial variability. This research work is mainly focused on documentation of surface soil characteristics of East Khasi Hills. So many factors are responsible for soil erosion here and dominantly the anthropogenic activities. With the increase of population, changing land use patterns with unscientific manners is one of the ecological phenomena in Meghalayan landscapes. This causes heavy soil erosion especially their agricultural activity such as slash and burn process that makes the land very infertile. Data on surface soil characteristics or surface soil status has been collected from primary field surveys. Base maps were prepared related to this research work with the help of Q-GIS (version 3.6) software and statistical analysis was done using MS Excel 2013 on the basis of both primary and secondary database. Rain induced soil erosion associated with supersaturated soil matrix failure is the major attestation of soil erosion here. Authors mainly have tried to make some inferences towards the correlation of surface soil characteristics and erodibility of the soil.

Mantu Das, Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal University, West Bengal, India

Mr. Mantu Das (M.A, M.Phil.) is a Ph.D. Research Scholar and working as Junior Research Fellow (UGC) in the Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal. He has completed his master’s degree in Geography from University of Calcutta, Ballygunge campus in 2017. Earlier he was professionally engaged as a Research Assistant (R.A.) in Cultural Research Institute (C.R.I.), B.C.W. and T.D. Department, Government of West Bengal (2018-2019). He specialized in Advanced Cartography and has a lot of interest in Fluvial Geomorphology, Quaternary Geomorphology, Environmental Geography, Remote Sensing and GIS. He has already published 12 research papers, 1 edited book volume and has presented research papers in National and International Conference and Seminar in India.

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Published

15-05-2023

How to Cite

Saha, S., Sarkar, B., & Das, M. (2023). Documentation of Surface Soil Characteristics as Indicator of Soil Erosion: A Case of East Khasi Hills in and around Shillong, Meghalaya . RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 8(5), 109–121. https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2023.v08.n05.016