Delineation of Agro-ecological zones and sub-zones
Thirty agro-ecological sub zones (AEZIa to AEZXIIc) were delineated in
the study area (Table 4) by GIS aided integration of nine agro-climatic and
eight agro-edaphic zones (Fig. 6). Results revealed that the majority of area
falls in XIa whereas minimum area is occupied by Via (Patel et al., 2002).
The other larger sub-zones are Ib and VIIIa, respectively. AEZIc and AEZIIc
are the most potential zones for intensive cropping with possibility of two
and three crops such as paddy – wheat or sugarcane – wheat (Table-4). Further
sub-ecological zones are reclassified by GIS aided integration in which subzones
are clubbed into main agro-ecological zones. Therefore, twelve agroecological
zones (AEZI to AEZXII) are identified in the study area. The spatial distribution of these zones is presented in Figure 6. The area covered ranges
from 0.54 % in AEZ X to 25.15 % in AEZ XI. The whole hilly portion falls
in AEZ VIII whereas lower alluvial plain in AEZ I and AEZ II (Table-5). A
suitable land use (Fig. 3) plan for sustainable use of land resource for the
Kumaon region was suggested based on characteristics of AEZs and existing
land use pattern.