GIS approach to investigate the potential areas for irrigation development in Mae Mok Sub-Basin, Northtern Thailand | |
| Author | Jitsuda Intumarn |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-06-06 |
| Subject(s) | Irrigation--Thailand, Northern Geographic information systems--Thailand, Northern |
| Note | A thesis submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Envrionment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-06-06 |
| Abstract | The overall objective of this research is to identify the potential areas for irrigation development in Mae Mok sub-basin, northern Thailand and explore major physical and socio-economic factors influencing irrigation development. The research is primarily based on secondary spatial and non-spatial data collected in both digital and hardcopy format from various government agencies. Various approaches and methods including GIS functions, formulae and equations have been used in the analysis of the data. The results show that around one-third of the total watershed area is suitable for irrigation. This includes about 22,859.62 ha (14.6%) currently non-irrigated area that has potential for irrigation development in future. Of the total potential area, 4,698.50 ha. or around 3 percent area is found to be highly suitable, and 18,161.12 ha. or 11.60 percent as moderately suitable for irrigation. Most of the suitable areas are located in the lower part of study watershed (flat lands) and some areas along the streams. The results also show that nearly one-third of the existing irrigated area is not suitable for irrigation. Slope and specific runoff yield, water holding capacity of soil, distance from permanent stream, land use type, water quantity including the crop water requirement, rainfall and effective rainfall and irrigation water need are found to be the major factors affecting the suitability of an area for irrigation development. Population density and crop yield were found to have positive relationships with the suitability. More than two-third (71.11 %) of the watershed area has physical constraints such as forest lands, very steeps slopes (i.e. >30%), soils with unsuitable physical characteristics, watershed class 1 A conserved for forest and head water sources, urban areas, and areas very far from water sources. Chemical properties of the soil (including salinity and alkalinity) were observed to be not important factors in the study area. The study was limited only to population density and crop yield as socioeconomic factors affecting suitability of an area for irrigation. Further research should be conducted by including other important social, institutional, economic factors that have the potential of affecting irrigation development. Land tenure, crop pattern, traditional farming systems, tradition, attitude and perceptions of farmers, labor and market could be some of such factors that should be taken into consideration by future studies. Moreover, environmental impact assessment should be a part of the suitability assessment process in future. |
| Year | 2006 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-06-06 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shrestha, Rajendra Prasad;Shivakoti, Ganesh Prasad; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Gautam, Ambika Prasad;Clemente, Roberto S.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2006 |