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Poster Session
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Wasteland Mapping in Punjab (India) using Remote Sensing Techniques
Rajiv Chopra, R. K. Litoria, A. Thomas and P. K. Sharma
Punjab Remote Sensing Centre
P. A. U. Campus, Ludhiana - 141004
India
Abstract
The major area in Punjab, barring Siwalik hills, form a part of Indo-Gangetic alluvial plain in which low lying pockets are having the problems of water logging, soil salinity and/or alkalinity etc. The study deals with mapping of wastelands in three districts of the state namely Patiala, Jalandhar and Gurdaspur on 1:50,000 scale, through visual interpretation of IRS-1A LISS II data in the form of False Colour Composites (FCC). In all, nine categories of wastelands were mapped and major patches were checked in the field. In Patiala district, 18.85% of total geographical area is under various categories of wastelands, of which 4.47% is contributed by "sands-desertic and salinity/alkalinity (in-land)", where as in Jalandhar district, only 2.32% of the total geographical area is occupied by wastelands, of which 40.07% is contributed by sands-desertic". In Gurdaspur district, "under utilised/degraded notified forest area" followed by "water logged and marshy land" contribute 50.61% and 30.92% respectively of the total wasteland area in the district (24993ha) . The pu of the area under wastelands in the these districts need immediate attention and conservation for the optimum utilization of its capacity. Proper distribution of fertilizers, provision of proper drainage and leveling or the sand dunes are the major ameliorative measures to reclaim these wastelands.
1. Introduction
The state of Punjab is one of the most advanced agrarian states in India. Nearly 84% of total geographical area of the state is cultivated and any further increase in the area may only be possible by reclaiming various categories of degraded lands which have been rendered as wastelands. The major area in Punjab barring Siwalik hills forms part of Indo-Gangetic alluvial plain. Low lying pockets in the alluvial plain of Punjab are having the problem of water logging, soils salinity and/or alkalinity etc. (Sharma et al 1986).
Wasteland is the land which is degraded and is presently lying un-utilised (except follow) due to inherent or imposed disabilities related to location, environment, soil as well as current financial and management constraints (NRSA 1991). Information on geographical location, areal extent and spatial distribution of wastelands is essential for their effective management and sustainable development (Gautam and Narayan 1988). In view of this, mapping of wastelands in the three districts of Punjab viz. Patiala, Jalandhar and Gurdaspur have been carried out under the National Wasteland Mapping Project funded by Govt. of India through National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad. The primary objective of this project is to bring all the wastelands under productive use in the country through a massive programme of afforestation, agriculture, and other economic use.
2. Study Area
The Punjab State has been divided into four drainage tracts viz. Upper Bari Doab tract, Bist-Doab tract, Ghaggar tract and Sirhind-Firozpur tract. Gurdashpur district forms a part of Upper Bari Doab tract with latitude 310 36' 13" & 320 32' 24" N and longitude 740 53' 30" & 750 56' 11" E where as Jalandhar district lies in Bist-Doab tract with latitude 300 38' 22" & 300 36' 41" N and longitude 750 05' 09" & 760 16' 16" E. Patiala district having latitude 290 47' & 300 47' N and longitude 750 56' & 760 56' E is part of Ghaggar tract. The mean annual influenced by the Himalayas in north and the desert in south and south-west. The mean annual rainfall varies from 300 mm to 1400 mm being highest in north-east and decrease gradually towards south-west. The mean monthly minimum temperature (January) is as low as 4.70C (Economic Advisor 1987-91) . The area is drained by three major rivers namely Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. The other main channels are Ghaggar, White Bein, Black Bein, Kiran Nala, Chakki River and Sakki Nala.
Figure 1 Location Map of Study Area
3 Methodology
For preparing wasteland maps on 1:50,000 scale, the IRS-1A LISS-II data in the from of False Colour Composites (FCC) generated from band 2, 3 & 4 was interpreted visually. The variation in the texture, shape, size and pattern were used to identify and delineate different wasteland categories. All the major patches of wastelands were physically verified. Other collateral data in the form of Survey of India Punjab) and other published reports were used for mapping different wasteland categories. The methodology and classification system use were according to the Manual of Instructions prepared by National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad (NRSA) 1986). The final maps showing different wasteland categories on 1:59,000 scale with village boundaries, subwatershed boundaries and notified forest areas were prepared. The details of wasteland categories in Patiala, Jalandhar and Gurdaspur district marked on 1:50,000 scale were transferred on 1:250, scale maps for preparing single map for each district.
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