COASTAL DRAINAGE MORPHOMETRY ANALYSIS OF BHITARKANIKA MARINE NATIONAL PARK REGION, KENDRAPARA, ODISHA, INDIA BY USING GIS AND REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUES

Morphometric analysis is significantly important in any hydrological investigation and it is inevitable in development and management of drainage basin. A critical evaluation and assessment of morphometric parameters of Bhitarkanika Marine National Park (BNP) region have been achieved through measurement of linear, aerial and relief aspects of basins by using remote sensing and GIS techniques, and it necessitates the preparation of a detailed drainage map. The quantitative analysis of morphometric parameters is proved to be of immense utility in the study of coastal watershed management, water conservation and natural resources management at micro level. The present work is an attempt to carry out a detailed study of linear, relief and areal morphometric parameters along with a drainage vulnerability map based on the drainage density. For planning and management activity, a detailed present land use/land cover (LULC) map is needed, thus an attempt has been made to generate the LULC of the study area. Besides these, the vegetation index and elevation distribution map have been prepared. BNP region has an area of 1085.72 km2 and lies in the administrative unit of Kendrapara district of Odisha, India. ASTER Digital Elevation Model (DEM) from United States Geological Survey (USGS) website were utilized to delineate the drainage system, thus to identify precisely water divides using Geographic Information System (GIS).It has been found that in BNP region, the total number of streams is 1430 belonging to different stream orders with the highest order of 5. The findings will be useful for the coastal managers, decision makers in the sustainable management of the fragile coastal environment.