DESERTIFICATION, ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTS AND LAND USE CHANGE: A CASE STUDY OF NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI

Desertification defined as the persistent dilapidation of arid and semi-arid ecosystems by variations in climate and human activities is one of the greatest environmental challenge affecting today. The present study area, National Capital Territory of Delhi shares border with parts of three other states viz. Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. A detailed and exhaustivequestionnaire was prepared and the students conducted the primary survey in project area. Elaborate studies to estimate the levels of pollution have been carried out. Socio-economic survey has indicated that humanpopulation and natural resources including land, water and air in a single configuration, have been affected drastically by climatic and socioeconomic disturbances in the study area. There is a major change in the land use pattern has designated in the studies. Land use analysis has revealed that agricultural land has been acquired by the government and converted to industrial establishments. Such political and socio-economic disturbances in combination with climatic fluctuations have become the main drivers of desertification. The toxicity profile of NCT of Delhi revealed the unusually higher levels of heavy metal ions in the water and soil matrix in the areas around the industries

DESERTIFICATION, ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTS AND LAND USE CHANGE: A CASE STUDY OF NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI Keywords:

Land Use Analysis , Delhi-NCR , Socio-Economic Scenario , Industrialization , Urbanization , Heavy Metal Ions , Toxicity Profile