Asian Journal of Geographical Research

Nexus between Crop Diversification, Agricultural Development and Level of Urbanization in Bihar, India: A Regional Level Study

Khursheed Ahmad Khan — 2025-09-17

Background: Crop diversification has become an important factor in the agrarian economy for increasing agricultural growth, farmer income, and the utilization of natural resources. At both the district and regional levels, crop diversification has progressed unevenly and shown significant variations. Diversification of highly valuable crops is positively associated with the level of urbanization and the development of the economy and infrastructure. Crop diversification in Bihar varies significantly across the region due to distinct regional features. Policymakers must determine the nature and extent of crop diversification in Bihar at the regional level for making agriculture-related policies. Because of this, the main objective of this research is to examine the variations within regions in Bihar's agricultural development and crop diversification, as well as the extent to which urbanization affects crop diversification at the district and regional levels.

Methods: At the regional and district levels, an Agricultural Development Index and a Simpson Index of Diversification have been developed using secondary data obtained mainly from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Bihar. Cluster and regression method have been used for deep analysis.

Results: According to the findings of the study, there are significant variations both at the district and regional levels, making it impossible to draw a comprehensive generalization about the extent of crop diversification and agricultural development across the region of Bihar. A positive but weak relationship exists between crop diversification and agricultural development. Crop diversification is also positively influenced by urbanization.

Assessment of Groundwater Physico-Chemical Properties and Water Quality Zonation in Udalguri District of Assam: A Geospatial and WQI-based Approach

Kuldeep Bora — 2025-09-23

Aims: The study aims to evaluate the groundwater quality of Udalguri district, Assam, with the application of Water Quality Index (WQI) and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to determine its suitability for drinking purposes.

Study Design: A field-based water quality assessment was carried out using 38 spatially distributed samples selected through a GIS-based random approach, supported by secondary data collection from existing records and informal field interactions.

Place and Duration of Study: The investigation was conducted in Udalguri district, Assam, India. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed, and informal interactions were conducted during the study period of 2023-2024.

Methodology: A total of 38 groundwater samples were collected from different sources across the district. Nine physico-chemical parameters like pH, turbidity, hardness, alkalinity, iron, manganese, nitrate, chloride, and fluoride were analyzed following standard protocols. The WQI was computed using the weighted arithmetic index method. Spatial distribution of groundwater quality was mapped using Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation in Geographic Information System (GIS), enabling visualization of contamination hotspots and variability across the district.

Results: The findings reveal that approximately 77% of the Udalguri district falls under poor to unsuitable water quality categories. The major factors responsible for deterioration are elevated levels of iron and manganese, surpassing the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) permissible limits. In contrast, other parameters such as pH, hardness, nitrate, chloride, and fluoride generally remained within acceptable limits. Spatial analysis showed significant variation in contamination intensity, with certain pockets exhibiting higher risks of groundwater pollution.

Conclusion: The study highlights critical groundwater quality issues in Udalguri district, emphasizing that the majority of the region’s population relies on water sources that are unsuitable for drinking without treatment. Urgent remedial measures, including water treatment initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and long-term monitoring strategies, are recommended to safeguard public health and ensure sustainable water management.

Modeling Urban Surface Runoff in Tropical Watersheds Using the SCS-CN Method on Google Earth Engine: Case of the Gourou Basin

KANGA Kouamé Elyass — 2025-09-25

The Gourou watershed, located in the metropolitan region of Abidjan, is highly vulnerable to flooding due to rapid urbanization and the increasing frequency of extreme rainfall events. To address the challenge of runoff estimation in this ungauged tropical urban basin, this study develops and applies an innovative, spatially explicit methodology that quantifies surface runoff through the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method, integrating pedological characteristics (soil textures) and dynamic land use patterns.

Our approach leverages an automated processing chain implemented in Google Earth Engine, enabling high-resolution land use classification (overall accuracy: 99.58%; Kappa index: 0.97), spatial interpolation of soil data (based on 19 sampling points), computation of Curve Numbers (CN) through matrix cross-referencing of soil texture and land use classes, and refinement of CN values through slope adjustments to enhance hydrological accuracy. Hydrological modeling was performed using the SCS equation.

The analysis reveals alarming hydrological indicators: a significant reduction in effective infiltration, an average runoff rate of 42.6% (runoff coefficient = 0.42), a total runoff volume of 827,113 m³ from cumulative rainfall of 1,941,220 m³, and widespread imperviousness — 77.8% of the watershed consists of built-up areas or bare soils (CN > 78). These conditions drive rapid surface flow concentration, intensifying flood peaks and highlighting the critical need for spatially targeted mitigation strategies in data-scarce urban watersheds.

Spatial Analysis of Nutritional and Health Inequalities among Adolescents in Kumbakonam Taluk, Tamil Nadu, India

Vadivel S — 2025-09-25

Objective: The study aims to assess the nutritional and health status of adolescents aged 13 to 19 in Kumbakonam taluk. it focuses on understanding how wealth, calorie intake, calorie expenditure, and health outcomes vary across different regions, and to identify the socioeconomic and spatial factors behind these disparities.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2016–2017 with 2,790 adolescents (1,395 boys and 1,395 girls) from 93 panchayat villages, selected through stratified random sampling. data were collected using a structured questionnaire. daily gross calorie intake, calorie expenditure, and net calorie retention were calculated. wealth and health indices were developed based on income, education, occupation, body mass index (BMI), and calorie balance. spatial analysis and Z-score classification were used to map regional differences.

Findings: The study found clear regional and gender-based differences in nutrition and health. most adolescents were in the medium range for calorie intake and retention, but many—especially boys—had poor health. wealthier areas showed better health outcomes, while poorer regions had lower calorie intake and more health problems. spatial mapping revealed clusters of both undernutrition and overnutrition. There is a need for targeted, area-specific health and nutrition programs to address the diverse needs of adolescents and reduce inequalities in Kumbakonam taluk.

Land Use Transitions and Bamboo Based Livelihood Diversification in Karbi Anglong, Northeast India

Rebecca Kramsapi — 2025-09-26

Land use transitions in ecotonal regions of Northeast India illustrate the dynamic interaction between ecological resources, industrial demand, and livelihood change. This study examines three decades of land use and land cover (LULC) change in Karbi Anglong district, Assam, with a focus on bamboo-based systems. Multi-temporal satellite images (1993, 2014, and 2023/24) were classified using the Random Forest algorithm. The 2023/24 map, validated with 700 ground-truth samples, achieved 93.6% overall accuracy and a Kappa coefficient of 0.87. Results indicate three major phases: (i) 1993 – natural abundance, when bamboo was embedded in forest and shifting cultivation systems; (ii) 2014 – plantation expansion, driven by industrial demand and state subsidies, when bamboo became a dominant land cover (24.72%) at the expense of forests and jhum; and (iii) 2023/24 – post-mill diversification, characterized by stable bamboo cover (24.74%), expansion of rubber, tea, and arecanut, and growing built-up areas. These transitions highlight the role of industrial dependence in reshaping landscapes and livelihoods. The study underscores the need for integrated land use policies that balance forest conservation with livelihood diversification and sustain bamboo as both an ecological and cultural resource.

Condition of Housing Infrastructure and Its Impact on Sustainable Urban Development: Assessing Progress Toward SDG 11 in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria

Rufa’i ABUBAKAR — 2025-09-27

Sokoto Metropolis serves as the focal point of this study, and one of the oldest traditional cities in Nigeria being the seat of the caliphate established by Sheikh Usamnu Danfodiyo in 1804 (Reformer). This study examines basic housing infrastructure in Sokoto Metropolis, focusing on the condition of access roads, water supply, waste disposal, fire rescue services, drainage, and street lighting. These components are essential to urban sustainability, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which promotes inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. In rapidly urbanizing areas like Sokoto, infrastructure often lags behind urban growth, intensifying the challenges related to urban sustainability. To assess these issues, the study employed both primary and secondary data. Primary data was gathered through structured questionnaires administered to 382 heads of households using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size table, while secondary data was obtained from the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency as sampling frame. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and the use of the Relative Importance Index (RII) to rank infrastructure needs. The study found that the condition of infrastructure in Sokoto Metropolis is generally poor, with waste management emerging as the most urgent issue at mean value of 0.5094. This reflects broader infrastructure gaps likely caused by insufficient facilities, weak policy enforcement, and rapid urbanization. The study recommends that the Sokoto State Government align its housing infrastructure planning and budgeting with the UN 2030 Development Agenda to address these challenges effectively.