Application of Geographical Information System (GIS) and Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) in Suitability mapping of Girei LGA for Grazing Reserve.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to produce a suitability map for grazing reserve in Girei LGA, Adamawa State. The data used for the study were; Base map of Girei LGA, settlements maps, Landsat 8 OLI and data on Gazette Routes and Grazing Areas in Girei LGA. Criteria such as; grassland, water bodies, road network, herders and non-herders settlements were used in the grazing reserve suitability mapping with the help of GIS and AHP. Findings of the study revealed that places like; Ngarilde, Daware, Gokra, Jarenga, Modire Jabilamba, Sangere Usman, Sangere Njida, Jera Bakari, Kofare, Hotolore, Wuro Basambo, Langere, Ardo Maguwa, and Hurriyandu which covered over fifty percent of the area are highly suitable grazing reserve in the LGA, while places such as Bajabure, Badarisa, Vunoklang, Labundo, Koh and Wuro Dole are not suitable for grazing reserve. The study concluded that increase in population and urbanization have taking over the existing grazing reserve thereby making some of the places not suitable for grazing reserve. The study recommended that planning authority should extend development control to all gazetted routes and grazing areas to avoid further encroachment, integration of cattle route and grazing areas as a guide for development control. The marking of grazing routes should be done in short distance not more than 500 meters in built-up areas.