Journal of Global Resources

Volume 4 (02)
July 2018
ISSN: 2395-3160 (Print), 2455-2445 (Online)

Page 113-124

15
ROLE OF MORPHOMETRIC ATTRIBUTES ON SETTLEMENT DISTRIBUTION AND
ASSESSING SUITABLE LOCATION FOR SETTLEMENT GROWTH IN PAIRI BASIN
S.K. Nasib Ahamed and Agnisha Chakraborty
Research Scholars, Department of Geography, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, India
Email: nasibahamed@gmail.com
Abstract: Settlement distribution, forms, patterns and size are the concern of settlement
geographer but its correlation with morphometric attributes of terrain is a part of applied
geomorphology. Evaluation of morphometric attributes of terrain and their impact on various
aspect of settlement is one of the subject matters of applied geomorphology. One attempt has
been taken to correlate the various aspects of morphometric attributes of terrain with settlement
distribution. The morphometric attributes are derived from geospatial data as well as
topographical sheets using geospatial techniques. Statistical techniques are also used tounderstand the degree of morphometric influence on settlement distribution. Larger area of thisbasin is covered by forest. Geologically the area is homogeneous (granitic) and stable incharacter. The settlements are mainly developed along the both sides of main rivers.
Settlements are mostly concentrated in north-western and north-central part of the basin.
Settlements are negatively correlated with the morphometric attributes. This study demonstrates
the morphometric influence on settlement distribution as well as the importance of geospatial
technology to predict the suitable location for establishing settlement in future. This study has
been done in Pairi basin which spreads over Chhattisgarh and Odisha states of India.
Key words: Correlation, Morphometric, Geospatial, Concentrated.
Introduction
The locational analysis of man and his activities can be analysed in terms of human settlements.
The distribution of settlements is often determined by the morphometric attributes of the earth
surface. It is imperative to analyse the distributional pattern of settlements and responsible
reasons behind it in the study area. Various attempts have made to understand the influence ofmorphometric attributes on the distribution of settlements. A distinct correlation has been foundamong settlement types, land utilization and landforms in ‘Southern Allgan, U.S.A’ (Mutton andAdams, 1939). Another quantitative attempt has been made by Swainson (1944) to correlate thesize and types of settlements with geological regions and discussed the most favourable sites
for the growth of villages in Somerset, England. Dackeyne (1962) discussed the influence ofphysical factors on the distribution and pattern of settlements in Central Nayaza (Kenya).
Kayastha (1964) and Tewari (1966) inferred the influence of physical components on the
distribution of settlements in ‘Himalayan-Beas Basin’ and ‘Jaunsar Himalaya’. Zakrzewska(1967) observed various types of relationships between landforms and cultural elements.
Distribution of settlements is a result of complex man-land relationship. Evolution of settlementof any region is motored by geology, climate, relief, drainage, soil, natural vegetation andgroundwater table. Morphometric parameters of earth surface determine the sites for thedevelopment of settlements. Not only the settlements but also the humanised landscape (bridge,
road, alignments etc.) are also governed by various morphometric parameters. Correlation
between the distribution of settlements and morphometric attributes has also been studied byseveral geographers of India such as Asthana (1968) in Almora and its environs, Singh (1968) inSouthern upland of eastern U.P, Kharkwal (1969) in Nainital and its environs and Agrawal(1971) in south-eastern Jabalpur district etc. respectively. The applied aspect of geomorphology
for the welfare of human being is defined as the science because geomorphological features
form the stage where the cultural drama is played by man during his process of occupancy(Chandra Prakash Singh, 2002). Relief largely determines the distribution of population because113

of agricultural reason and other accessibility (Mariana Lukic Tanovic and et.al. 2014). Sathi
Sampad Roy and N.C. Jana (2015) studied the impact of morphometric attributes on rural
settlement distribution in Purulia district of West Bengal and concluded that the morphometricattributes are the main controlling power over the establishment of settlements.
Objective
The main purpose of this research is to understand the impact of morphometric attributes on
settlements distribution and identifying the suitable location for future growth of settlements in
Pairi basin with the help of geospatial technology.
Study Area
The study area is Pairi basin (Fig.1). Pairi River is one of the major tributaries of Mahanadi
River. The latitudinal and longitudinal extension of Pairi basin is 19º 55' 52" N to 20 º 57' 59" Nand 81 º 51' E to 82 º 26' 11" E. The basin covers an area of 3262.62 sq. km. The state
Chhattisgarh in India has been carved out of the eastern hilly part of former Madhya Pradesh
state. Pairi basin mainly lies in Chhattisgarh state but a small portion of the upper basin lies in
Odisha state in Nuapada and Nabarangapur districts. Administratively, the study area comprisesa part of Magarlod, Nagri tehsils in Dhamtari district in west, Rajim, Churra, Gariyaband, Mainpur
tehsils in Gariyaband district in east, Komana C.D. block in Nuapada district in the east andRaigarh C.D. block in Nabarangapur district in south. Pairi basin is located at an elevation
ranging between 250 mt to 1000mt having flat to gentle slope. Geologically, the Pairi basin dates
back to Archaean age. Structurally it belongs to peninsular India, a part of Gondwanaland. The
Pairi basin is mostly rigid in nature. Indications of tectonic events have been found in easternmost part of the basin. The basin has been subject to erosion since its formation and theArchaean basement complex has been exposed in some areas of the basin which has given riseto several elongated, circular and semi-circular shaped hillocks. Alfisols comprises of Red
Sandy soil which covers 94.56 percent area of the basin. Larger area of this basin (Fig. no. 3b)
is covered by dense forest (63.63 percent, reserve and protected forest).
Materials and Methodology
In this study, morphometric attributes have been measured from ASTER G DEM (one arc
second- 30m, http://earthexplorer.usgs.gov) and Topographical sheets (Survey of India) using
geospatial technology. Vertical accuracy assessment of ASTER G DEM has been carried out
using GCPs from GPS data. The elevations of each point have been extracted using ArcGIS
10.3 software from the DEM then the differences of elevation have been measured at each pointof GCPs from its corresponding DEM’s elevations. Finally, RMSE has been measured using
these difference values of elevation accounting for ±10.93m due to dense vegetal cover. The
settlements have been collected from Topographical sheets as well as Google earth map thencounted for each category of each morphometric attributes. Geospatial database has been
prepared in Arc GIS for multiple measurement and maps generation. Quantitative approach(Correlation, Nearest neighbour analysis) has been employed to infer the impact ofmorphometric attributes on settlements distribution. Gini concentration (G.C) index has also
been measured to know the distributional pattern (disparity or equal distribution) of settlements.
Several terrain indices like absolute and relative relief slope, dissection index and drainage
density have been measured in metric system. Finally, all the measurements have been madeon the basis of per square km. grid and the mapping work has been carried out in ArcGis 10.3
software.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Distribution of Settlements
Fig no. 2(a) shows the general distribution of settlements in Pairi basin. Only 381 settlements
are there in Pairi basin with three urban centres (parts of Rajim, Gariyaband and Mainpur)
having the total population of 239544. Mainly settlements are settled in north-western, northernand south-eastern parts of the basin. Settlements are sparsely distributed in north-eastern,
central and southern parts of the basin. Larger area of without settlements is observed in114Location of Study Area

Fig.1

115

eastern and western basin. The settlements are very closely distributed along the both sides
Pairi and Sondur rivers due to water potentiality and plain alluvial track. As the distanceincreases from river the settlements also decrease. Overall the number of settlements is low
because of the presence of dense forest, red sandy soil, low ground water potentiality (distantplace from the rivers), high elevation, rugged terrain and high degree of slope in some places.
Industries and mining activities are not occurring there and less developed transport demotivatesto establish the new settlements in this region. Varied settlements are found in Pairi basin
because:
1. Settlements are highly concentrated in north-western near Rajim and ailed southern partin Chhattisgarh plain, northern basin near Gariyaband (both side of Pairi), and southeastern near Mainpur due to presence of levelled surface with medium elevation and low
drainage frequency with high ground water potentiality (presence of main river).
2. Settlements are sparsely distributed in north-eastern, central and southern parts of thebasin because of rugged terrain with moderate elevation, medium slope, covered byprotected forest and moderate to high drainage frequency.
3. In eastern, central, southern and western parts of the basin, settlements are notobserved due to presence of dense forest and high degree of slope, rugged terrain withhigh elevation.
Nearest neighbour analysis 2(b) has been measured to know the distribution of settlement
pattern. Average nearest neighbour has been calculated individually for settlements which arewithin 2 km. and 6 km. from the main rivers of both sides. The results 2(b) make it evident thatthe distribution of settlements is towards clustered more than random (Rn=0.74) within 6 km andthe distribution of settlements within 2 km. is also towards clustered more than random(Rn=0.57) but this distribution of settlements is more clustered within 2 Km than the 6 km fromthe main rivers. For this purpose Gini concentration index 3(a) has been measured (Σxy+1….n +Σyx+1….n) /10000. The index value 1 refers to complete disparity and 0 refers to complete
equal distribution. The measured Gini concentration index of Pairi basin is 0.34 (Fig. no. 3a).
Density of Settlements
The areal variation of settlement distribution is largely governed by its terrain features,
availability of natural resources and accessibility of transport and communication in the study
area. Forest attracts the settlers to settle but dense forest discourages to settle for inaccessibility
and insecurity reasons. In Pairi basin, about 64 percent area is covered by reserve andprotected forest (Fig. no. 3b). The density of settlement is too low (0.12 settlement/ km²) in thispart of the study region. 36.37 percent area (1218.97 km²) of the basin is uninhabited where as
one settlement per Km² is found in 62.22 percent (2030.31 km²) area of the basin and less than
1 percent area (13.46 Km²) is characterized by two settlements per km². Fig no. 2(c) shows thedensity of settlements in Pairi basin which reveals the places in western, southern parts arecharacterized by without settlements due to dense forest, moderate to high drainage density andrugged terrain with high elevation. The empty settled area is also found in central and easternpart of the basin in Sonabera plateau because of high degree of slope, rugged terrain with highelevation (hills), dense forest etc. Two settlements per Km² are found mainly in urban places(Mainpur, Gariyaband) in Pairi basin. Fig.2(c) gives the overall picture of low density ofsettlements because of unfavourable conditions of physical factors.
Correlation between absolute Relief and Settlements
Table no. 1 and Fig. 4(a) reveals the settlement frequency and density of each categories ofabsolute relief. The highest settlement density (0.18/ Km²) has been found in low absolute relief
region (below 400m) in north-western basin while the least settlement density (0.03/ Km²) has
been observed in high absolute relief region (above 700m) in eastern Pairi basin. About 42
percent area of the basin having the elevation between 400-500m is associated with thesettlement density of 0.10/km². The settlement frequency against absolute relief (table 1) infers
that about 71 percent of the total settlements occur in this region with absolute relief of less than
500m. The Ogive curve (Fig. 5a) shows the distribution of settlement against absolute relief. This
curve is steep in middle part indicating to maximum concentration of settlements between
absolute reliefs of 400-600m. This curve is gentle to horizontal in upper part also refers to poor
growthof116

Fig. 2(a)Fig. 2(b)117

Fig. 2(c)Lorenz Curve
120

100

Cum. % of area

80

60

40

20

G.C= Gini Concentration

0
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Cum. % of settlements

Fig. 3(a)Fig. 3(b)118settlements above 700 m. Fig.6 (a) shows the inverse relationship between number ofsettlements and absolute relief has been found here. The R² refers that the absolute relief
influences 91.43 percent on the occurrence of settlement and only 8.57 percent has the othereffects on settlement distribution.
Absolute
relief (m)Below 400
400-500
500.1-600
600.1-700
Above 700
Total

Table 01: Settlements vs. Absolute Relief
Settlements
Area (km²)
Settlement density(No. of settlements/ km²)
Settlement percent of Cumulative
frequency
total
percent
frequency
133
34.91
34.91
725.94
0.18
140
36.75
71.66
1386.1
0.10
75
19.69
91.34
571.33
0.13
25
6.56
97.90
301.110.08
8
2.10
100.00278.140.03
381
100.003262.62
0.12

Source: ASTER DEM and Topo Sheets

Correlation between Relative Relief and Settlements
Table no. 2shows the correlation between relative relief and the frequency as well as density ofsettlements. 82.68 percent settlements occur in northern and north-western part of the basinhaving less than 50m relative relief which is 65.77 percent of the whole basin’s area. Remaining
17.32 percent settlements occur in 34.33 percent area of the basin. The occurrences ofsettlements are too low in the relative relief above 100m, is only 7 settlements. The Ogive curve(Fig. 5b) is very steep up to 50m, indicating to the maximum concentration of settlements andabove 50m, it is horizontal pointing to the very poor growth of settlements. Fig. 6(b) infers thenegative correlation between relative relief and settlement frequency. Correlation also reveals
that relative relief influences 64.04 percent on the distribution of settlements. Fig. 4(b) infers thatthe maximum settlements are settled in low relative relief region.
Relative
Relief (m)Below 50
50-100100.1-150
150.1-200
Above 200
Total

Table 02: Settlements vs. Relative Relief
Settlements
Area
(km²)
Settlement
Percentage of
Cumulative
frequency
total frequency
percentage
315
82.68
82.68
2145.88
59
15.49
98.17
630.245
1.31
99.48
227.542
0.52
100.00120.3900
100.00138.57381
100.003262.62

Settlement density(No. of settlement/
km²)
0.15
0.09
0.02
0.02
0
0.12

Source: ASTER DEM and Topo Sheets

Correlation between Dissection Index and Settlements
In general, the areas having lower dissection index is suitable for settlement growth. The highest
settlement density (0.16/km²) is noted in less than the dissection index of 0.05m. Maximum
settlements have been observed in the dissection index zone (Fig. 4c) between 0.05-0.1m,
accounting of 70.34 percent (table 3) to the total settlement frequency, obtaining 56.25 percent
area of the Pairi basin. Only 21.26 percent settlement has been occurred above 0.1 dissection
index category. Fig. 5(c) shows the steep part of the curve is occurring up to 0.1, indicating to
the maximum concentration of settlements and the upper part of the curve is horizontal,
indicating to the least number of settlements. The regression line (Fig. 6c) shows the negative
correlation between dissection index and settlement occurrences. But in Pairi basin, this index
influences only 29.95 percent on the settlement distribution. It has been clear that the othereffects are more dominant in settlement distribution than the dissection index.

119

Fig. 4(a)Fig. 4(b)120

Fig. 4(c)Dissection
Index (m)Below 0.05
0.05-0.1
0.11-0.2
0.21-0.30
Above 0.3
Total

Table 03: Settlements vs. Dissection Index
Settlements
Settlement
Percentage of Cumulative Area (km²)
frequency
total frequency percentage
32
8.40
8.4
199.65
268
70.34
78.74
1835.59
76
19.95
98.69
861.3851.31
100.00250.8800
100.00115.12381
100.003262.62

Settlement density(No. of settlement/
km²)
0.16
0.15
0.09
0.02
0.00
0.12

Source: ASTER DEM and Topo Sheets

Correlation between Drainage Density and Settlements
Table no. 4 shows the frequency and density of settlements of each categories of drainage
density. Maximum settlements (41.99 percent) occur in the drainage density of 1.1-2 km/km²
region (Fig. 4d). The drainage density of 2.1-3 Km/Km² constitutes 39.15 percent (maximumarea) area of the basin holds 28.08 percent of the total settlements. Only, 4 settlements havebeen noticed where the drainage density is above 4 km/ Km². The highest density of settlements
has been found in the areas of Pairi basin having less than 1 km/ Km² drainage density. The
Ogive curve (Fig. 5d) shows the wide range of settlements distribution but the settlements areless above the drainage density of 4Km/ Km². Fig. 6(d) indicates that drainage density influences
31.31 percent on the distribution of settlements.
Drainagedensity(km/km²)
Below 1
1.1-2
2.1-3
3.1-4
Above 4
Total

Table 04: Settlements vs. Drainage Density
Settlements
Area (km²)
Settlement
Percentage of
Cumulative
frequency
total frequency
Percentage
56
14.70
14.7
208.75
160
41.99
56.69
904.39
107
28.08
84.78
1277.36
54
14.17
98.95
750.224
1.05
100.00121.9
381
100.003262.62

Settlement density(No. of settlement/
km²)
0.27
0.18
0.08
0.07
0.03
0.12

Source: Topo. Sheets

Suitable Location for Future Growth of Settlements
After the detailed discussions of the morphometric attributes and its influences on the distributionof settlements, it is essential to identify the suitable location for future development ofsettlements. That’s why weight has been assigned to all the parameters individually for
identifying the suitable location of settlements. Here, it is necessary to mentioned that observed
values (R²) are not considered for identifying the suitable location of settlements because
observed value infers the comparative influences among all the parameters (where the influenceof one parameter is known and others are unknown or united) on settlements distribution.
Settlements have also been found upto 7° of slope where the other parameters are well andgood in terms of settlements development.
SS= ca (ar<500, rr<50, di<0.1, dd<3, s<7)
Where- SS= suitable for settlements,
ca= common area, ar=absolute relief, rr=relative relief, di=dissection index, dd=drainage
density and s= slope
After applying these criteria in the study area, it has been found that northern, western and partsof southern basin (Fig. 4f) are suitable for establishing the new settlements in respect ofmorphometric attributes. After those, other physical factors such as forest, ground water table,soil etc. need to be considered while establishing the new settlements. Eastern Pairi basin is not121Fig. 4(d)Fig. 4(e)122Fig. 4(f)Relation: Distribution of Settlement and Morphometric Attributes(Less than type cumulative frequency curves)
150

Cumulative
frequency(%)

Cumulative
frequency(%)

150
100
50
0
0

500

100
50
0

1000

0

Absolute relief (m)Fig. 5(a)300

Fig. 5(b)150

Cumulative
frequency(%)

Cumulative
frequency(%)

200

Relative relief(m)

150
100
50

100
50
0

0
-50

100

0

0.2
0.4
Disection index(m)

0

0.6

2

4

6

Drainage density(Km/Km²)

Fig. 5(c)Fig. 5(d)200Settlement frequency

Settlement frequency

Correlation between Settlements and Morphometric Attributes
150
100
50

y = -0.365x + 295.2
R² = 0.914

0
0

500

1000

400

y = -1.374x + 282.3
R² = 0.640

300
200
100
0
-100 0Absolute relief (m)Fig. 6(a)Settlement frequency

Settlement frequency

250
y = -425.7x + 165.6
R² = 0.299

150
100
50
0
-50 0

0.2

300

Fig. 6(b)

300
200

100
200
Relative relief (m)

0.4

200
y = -21x + 139.2
R² = 0.313

150
100
50
0
0

0.6

Disection index (m)24Drainage density (Km/Km²)

Fig. 6(c)Fig. 6(d)123

6suitable for settlement development because high degree of slope (Fig. 4e), dense forest, highaltitude and high relative relief are associated with this region. The ridge which differentiates the
Chhattisgarh plain and upland in north-western basin is not suitable for settlements
development. The Dilla hill and surrounding region in central part of the basin are not suitable forgrowing settlements.

Conclusion
From the above discussion it can be summarized that the settlements are highly distributed innorth-western near Rajim and ailed southern part in Chhattisgarh plain, northern basin near
Gariyaband (both side of Pairi river), and south-eastern part near Mainpur due to presence oflevelled surface with medium elevation and low drainage frequency with high ground water
potentiality (presence of main river). In north-eastern, central and southern parts of the basin,settlements are sparsely distributed because of rugged terrain with moderate elevation, medium
slope, covered by protected forest and moderate to high drainage frequency. Settlements are
not observed in eastern, central, southern and western parts of the basin due to presence ofdense forest and high degree of slope, rugged terrain with high elevation. Among all theconsidered morphometric attributes, absolute relief has the maximum effects on the distributionof settlements in Pairi basin. This study also reveals that the geospatial technology is a very
convenient tool for measuring and identifying the areas for suitable location of new settlements.
Acknowledgement
Authors are grateful to Prof. H. S. Sharma, formerly Prof. and Head, department of Geography,
University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, for his critical comments and suggestions for the improvement of
this paper.
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