Abstract

A drainage basin in a mountainous region has a direct impact on its physical, environmental and ecological setup as it is the source of human beings fundamental needs. Umtrew river basin is spreading over the Indian states of Meghalaya and Assam, is located between 25°35’15’’ to 26°14’18’’N latitude and 91°35’17’’to 92°00’15’’E longitude. The river Umtrew is one of the major drainage systems in Meghalaya plateau, it originates in Meghalaya and flows down to Assam plain and merges with mighty Brahmaputra. Modern tools i.e. remote sensing and GIS techniques have been used to analyze the basin characteristics. Various thematic maps like Contour, Drainage, Road Network, Settlement, Land capability and Land Use/Land cover have been prepared to highlight the present scenario of the study site. Satellite image of 2004, 2007 and 2010 were used to understand the land use/land cover change in the basin area. Result shows that there is a decrease of 5.93% of semi evergreen forest from 2004 to 2010. This paper also attempts to identify the land use / land cover change pattern of the basin from 2004 to 2010. 

Key words: Umtrew river basin, Meghalaya, Assam, thematic maps, land use/land cover, land capability