Applying Remote Sensing and GIS in Study of Physical and Cultural Aspects of Varanasi District

Abstract

The city of Varanasi (Benaras) lies on a bend of Ganga river (Ganges), one of the largest rivers of the World. In this chapter, various physical i.e. geological, physiographic, drainage, climatic characteristics, condition of ground water, land use etc, as well as cultural aspect like transportation and communication facilities, solid waste generation etc. through remote sensing and GIS are very well presented. On the basis of relief variation, geology and drainage characteristics the area has been divided into three main physiographic divisions i.e. Upper Ganga-Varuna Plain,Varuna-Gomati Interfluence and Ganga-Varuna Interfluence. In this study it is found that the current water supply system is not adequate to supply to around 1.6 million people in the city. There is a substantial gap between the recommended norm and the actual water supply. Land use land cover (LULC) map is prepared using remote sensing data (IRS-1C/1D-LISS-III) of 2008, in which five important classes are delineated i.e. agricultural field, fallow land, vegetation, built-up area, and water bodies. In Varanasi district there are 85 Ganga ghats with typical structure on the river Ganga which are frequented by a large number of pilgrim’s everyday for taking a holy dip in river Ganga. The city along the Ghats has facing the severe serious problems of solid waste management due to congested lanes. These physical and cultural aspects are directly and indirectly used in the main themes of the study.