Mapping and Monitoring of Natural Resources of Kanjli
Wetland Ecosystem (Punjab) India-An Integrated Approach for
its Conservation.
Results and Discussion
Five major landuse categories viz. built up land agricultural land ( crop land, plantation etc.), forests, wasteland and wetland were identified and mapped (Fig.2). These were further subdivided into sub classes and their areas computed (Table 1). The perusal of the data in table 1 indicates that out of 5150 ha area, 209 ha is covered by swamp/marsh and 779 ha is waterlogged (seasonal). The lakes/ponds cover 9.5 ha whereas 29 ha area is covered by oxbow lakes or cut off meanders. The area under wastelands comes out to be 559 ha. Nearly 123 ha area is under various types of forests. Corp land (double crop)
constitute 3082 ha area, in addition seasonally water logged area of 779 ha is also utilized for paddy cultivation. Plantations and built up land cover 66 ha and 281 ha area respectively.
Figure 2: Location/Land Cover Map of Kanjli Wetland
Table 1: Area under various landuse categories of Kanjli wetland ecosystem (based
on Fig.2).
| Map Symbol |
Landuse category |
Area (ha) |
| 1.1 |
Built up land |
280.8 |
| 2.1 |
Crop land (double) |
3082.5 |
| 2.2. |
Fallow land |
2.1 |
| 2.3 |
Plantation |
66.3 |
| 3.1 |
Forest |
122.4 |
| 4.1 |
Salt affected |
71.9 |
| 4.3 |
Land with or Without scrub |
61.0 |
| 4.4 |
Sandy area |
436.0 |
| 5.1.1 |
Lakes/ponds |
9.5 |
| 5.1.2 |
Ox bow lakes/cut off meanders |
29.0 |
| 5.1.3 |
Water logged seasonal |
779.0 |
| 5.1.5 |
swamp/ Marsh |
209.5 |
| |
Total |
5150.0 |
Turbidity
In this study qualitative turibidity of Kanji lake has recorded based on the hue as manifested of false colour composite for pre and post monsoon seasons of 1992 an d1993
The turbidity classification is based on system proposed by SAC, Ahmedabad (Table 2)
Table 2: Classification of water bodies based on turbidity
| Turbidity level |
Map symbol |
Hue on FCC |
| Low |
L |
Dark blue |
| Moderate |
M |
Medium blue |
| High |
H |
Light blue/Whitish blue |
The study revealed that Kanjli Lake qualifies for low turbidity class during pre monsoon and moderate turbidity class during post monsoon season indicating the regimentation of the lake during post monsoon season
Monitoring of Water Spread
The water spread an turb8dity for pre and post monsoon season has also been monitored. The study reveals that post monsoon extent of Kanjli lake was 3.79 ha where as pre monsoon spread was 3.50 ha. The water spread in the post monsoon season is more because it receives rain water from BlackBein and many seasonal rivulets coming down from Siwalik hills. During monsoon, the flow of Black Bein is considerable and many a times it overflows its banks. The area abounds number of abandoned channels which mostly get activated during monsoon. Most of the torrents end up in shallow depressions. Disposition of these depressions along the river Beas are indicative of old abandoned beds of Beas. Extensive growth of water hyacinth has been observed during both the seasons which is posing big problem to the ecological status of the Knajli lake.
