Land suitability assessment by GIS for paddy cultivation in Sri Lanka. With a concern on environmental protection

GIS supplies comprehensive techniques for land suitability classifications. GIS based research has been carried out to extract new land for paddy cultivation in south Sri Lanka with special concern on environmental conservation. The locations of the worth considering lands and impractical lands for paddy cultivation were analyzed and merged with the GIS data base by a specially arranged point system. About 71% of the study area was directed to the suitability classification and rest was reserved as forest and water with buffer zones, present paddy, river and roads. More than 72% of the selected land was classified as highly suitable or suitable for paddy cultivation. The methodology can be implemented on any area with slight adjustments in the points system according to the physical and climatological conditions of the particular area.<
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