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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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Subject: Agricultural Engineering × Author: Ardra Wilson × End date: 2018 × Start date: 2010 × Thesis Type: M.Tech. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Assessment of the impact of sand mining on the morphology of the severely affected reach of Bharathapuzha river between Pattambi and Kuttippuram using remote sensing and GIS
    (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering , Kellappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, 2017) Ardra Wilson; KAU; Vishnu, B
    Rivers have been a subject of study by engineers and scientists who have been fascinated by their self-formed geometric shapes and their responses to changes in nature and human interference. Among various types of human interventions, indiscriminate extraction of sand and gravel is the most disastrous one, as it threatens the very existence of the riverine ecosystem. Bharatapuzha River in Kerala is a great victim of illegal sand mining. The effect of over exploitation of instream sand on the river morphology is very important for quantifying its effect and for exploring alternatives. The mining activity is particularly very high in the stretch between Pattambi and Kuttippuram of Bharathapuzha river. Use of remote sensing technology coupled with Geographical information system (GIS) is a quick means of gathering latest accurate information, economically. The study was undertaken to assess the morphological changes as well as the spatial and temporal variations along the reach due to sand mining The study utilized DEM imageries to evaluate the effect of sand mining. The study utilized DEM imageries to evaluate the effect of sand mining on the morphology of the river reach by analysing the cross-sectional details. LANDSAT imageries were used to analyse the spatial and temporal variations of channel in the reach. The analysis and assessment of satellite imageries were carried out using the ArcGIS 10.5 software. The Elevation profile add- in toolbar was utilised to create profile graphs by taking sections across the river course in ArcGIS and the morphological changes of the river were calculated by comparing the cross- section profiles. The spatial and temporal variations in river morphology were analysed by extracting the bank lines using Normalized difference Water Index (NDWI) and overlaying the extracted bank lines. The study revealed that the impact of sand mining was high at areas closer to Kuttippuram. Channel enlargement in the reach was found to be varying from 0.52-8.43 m/year. The reach experienced an average rate of change in width of 028m/ year. The shift in bank lines indicated the drifting of the river direction towards the north. From the study, it can be concluded that remote sensing and GIS techniques provided realistic information about the impacts of sand mining on the riverine ecosystem and have sufficient accuracy for use in morphological analysis of rivers.