Page 205 - Microsoft Word - DIGITAL ATLAS THOOT-1

software, nine land cover types were delineated using satellite data namely Forest

scrub, Dense mixed Forest, Plantations like Eucalyptus, Teak, Rubber, Tea,
Cardamom, Rocky Exposure and Water bodies. Studies on the spatial distribution of

forests during 1990 to 2006 reveals that area under forest land in ABR is
progressively decreasing with time. In 1990, the overall forest area was found to be

1436 sq.km and in 2006 it was only 1380sq.km.

Plate No ATM.13

Using the digital atlas thematic map plates namely drainage, relief, water
facility, geology, Soil, Rainfall and land use / land cover, the ground water potential

of Kanniyakumari and Nambiyar basin is evaluated. The relationship between the

groundwater characteristics and rainfall has been clearly brought out with the help of
the inter-correlation method. Accordingly, the resultant polygons that are derived out

of the overlaid theme by using the weighted value, reflect all the eight parameters that
influence the groundwater potential of an area. The spatial distribution of all these

categories of groundwater potential zones is depicted. Very good zones of
groundwater potential occur in the places where all the eight themes are more

favourable to groundwater. From the plate, it is clear that very good groundwater

potential category is seen in the places with rich surface water bodies that enhance the
infiltration whereby the area becomes potential. The second category of zones with

good groundwater potential is predominantly seen all over the Kanyakumari basin
seen in the western part of the study area. On the other hand, moderate as well as poor

groundwater potential categories of zones are notably seen in the Nambiyar basin
towards the eastern part of the study area. Few pockets of poor groundwater potential

zones are also found in Kanyakumari basin, wherein dense areas of urban settlements

occur. In fact, the northwestern part of the study area, having the geomorphic unit of
ridge valley complex with dense lineaments and granite rock group, registered mostly

moderate groundwater potential.

Plate No ATM.14

In the study of the relationship between the terrain conditions and the surface

water resource variables has been analyzed by using multiple correlation, factor
analysis and regression models in Kanniyakumari and Nambiyar Basin. From the