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Application of GPS and GIS in satellite Remote Sensing assessment of land use and land resource pattern in the limestone mining area and environs at Wadi, Gulbarga district, Karnataka
Agricultural Land
Agricultural land use by and large is dependent on the agro-climatic conditions prevalent in the area. The area remains dry through out the year and it receives rainfall only during retreating monsoon. The present land use/ cover appears to have well adapted to topography, soil and rainfall pattern, and the cultural practices of the people in the area. The major crops grown in the area are Bajra,
Toor, Groundnut, Sesame, Castor, Black Gram, Cotton, Ragi, Linseed and Bengal Gram etc. An area of 2978.05 ha or 56.92%is under this class.
This is further classified as: Cropland (with crop & mixed crop), Fallow Land and plantation. Cropland (with crop) is that area with standing crop fully grown/ready for harvest as on the date of satellite pass and cropland (mixed) is that areas wherein the area is devoid of any crop cover on the date of satellite pass. The total estimated area for both the classes is shown in Table-2.
All those lands without standing crop and with apparent field boundary is identified as fallow land. These areas appear greenish blue to blue depending on the soil and surface moisture. An area of 549.18 ha (10.50 %) is observed under this class.
Plantation is done in and around the mine lease area mainly to promote the environmental condition of the area. Some of these have been done around the mine pit and plant colony and are very well thriving to the environmental conditions. Main species planted are Eucalyptus, Cassia, Prosopis species etc. The total extent covered by this category is 47.80 ha. (0.91%).
Wastelands
Wastelands are one of the important class in the area. It covers an area of 1109.91 ha or 21.21%.
Land with scrub is the land, which occupy relatively high topographic locations. Lantana and Ipomea spp. Of scrub is growing throughout the area. This class is distributed all over the area and covers an area of 430.43 ha (8.23%).
Land without scrub is the area with similar topography features as former but is devoid of any vegetative growth except during rainy season. One particular feature of this class is that it is subjected to severe sheet erosion, with little or no soil cover. It covers an area of 658.10 ha or 12.58%.
Table - 3 Estimates of Area Under Landuse/Land Cover
| Sl. No. | | LAND USE / LAND COVER CATEGORY | AREA (Ha.) | % AREA |
| 1. | Built-up | Residential | 83.80 | 1.60 |
| | | Plant Colony | 42.01 | 0.74 |
| | | Loco shed | 13.80 | 0.26 |
| | | Processing Unit | 76.37 | 1.46 |
| | | Captive Power Plant | 3.89 | 0.07 |
| | | Recreational | 2.56 | 0.05 |
| | | Transportation | 79.16 | 1.51 |
| | | Built-up (Rural) | 88.24 | 1.69 |
| | | | 386.76 | 7.39 | | 2. | Agricultural Land | Cropland (with crop) | 1810.00 | 34.60 |
| | | Cropland (mixed) | 570.57 | 10.91 |
| | | Fallow Land | 549.18 | 10.50 |
| | | Plantation | 47.80 | 0.91 |
| | | | 2978.05 | 56.92 |
| 3. | Wasteland | Land with scrub | 430.43 | 8.23 |
| | | Land without scrub | 658.10 | 12.58 |
| | | Abandoned Quarry | 17.50 | 0.33 |
| | | Quarry Pit | 3.67 | 0.07 |
| | | | 1109.91 | 21.21 |
| 4. | Water bodies | River/Stream | 60.80 | 1.16 |
| | | | 60.80 | 1.16 |
| 5. | Others | Stone Quarry | 204.47 | 3.91 |
| | | Sump | 14.89 | 0.28 |
| | | Mine Pit | 67.51 | 1.29 |
| | | Industrial Area | 108.71 | 2.18 |
| | | Vacant Land/Sparse Plantation | 291.79 | 5.58 |
| | | Shale Stack | 3.75 | 0.07 |
| | | | 696.28 | 13.31 |
| | Total | | 5229.00 | 100.00 |
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