Natural resource management calls for study of natural system prevailing in the country. In
India floods and droughts visit regularly, causing extensive damages of natural wealth including
agriculture that are crucial for sustenance of economic growth. The Indian Sub-continent drained by
many major rivers and their tributaries where watershed, the hydrological unit forms a natural
system that allows management and development of land resources following natural harmony.
Acquisition of various kinds and levels of soil and land characteristics using both
conventional and remote sensing techniques and subsequent development of digital spatial data base
are essential to evolve strategy for planning watershed development programmes, their monitoring
and impact evaluation. The multi-temporal capability of remote sensing sensors helps to update the
existing data base which are of dynamic in nature.
The paper outlines the concept of spatial data base development, generation using remote
sensing techniques, designing of data structure, standardization and integration with watershed
layers and various non spatial attribute data for various applications covering watershed
development planning, alternate land use planning, soil and water conservation, diversified
agriculture practices, generation of soil health card, soil and land reclamation, etc. The soil and land
characteristics are vital to derive various interpretative groupings or master table that helps to
generate the desired level of information of various clients using the GIS platform.
The digital spatial data base on soils and watersheds generated by All India Soil and Land
Use Survey will act as a sub-server of the main GIS based Web Server being hoisted by the
planning commission for application of spatial data for planning purposes under G2G domain. It
will facilitate e-governance for natural resource management using modern technology.
Land degradation is the result of both natural and biotic forces operating on the earth. Natural calamities, over exploitation of land resources, unwise land use and the consequences of high inputs agriculture on soil and water resource are of great concern both at national and international level. It aggravated food insecurity in the world especially in the developing countries that calls for combating land degradation and desertification with scientific means. Development of degraded lands in India is one of the options to enhance food production and to restore the fragile ecosystem.
The scientific information and spatial distribution of various kinds of degraded lands is thus essential for formulation of strategic plan to arrest the menace of land degradation. Remote sensing provides an opportunity for rapid inventorying of degraded lands to generate realistic database by virtue of multi-spectral and multi-temporal capabilities in the country. The satellite data provides subtle manifestations of degradation of land due to water and wind erosion, water-logging, salinity and alkalinity, shifting cultivation, etc., that facilitate mapping.
All India Soil and Land Use Survey (AISLUS) has undertaken the task of land degradation mapping using remotely sensed data and developed a methodology accordingly. The mapping has been conceptualized as a four-tier approach comprising kind of degradation, severity of degradation, degradation under major landform and major land use.
Visual mode of interpretation technique based on image characteristics followed by ground verification has been employed for mapping of degraded lands. Image interpretation key has been formulated based on the spectral signatures of various causative factors of different kinds of degraded lands. The mapping legend has been made systematic and connotative. The extent and spatial distribution of different kinds of degraded lands with degree of severity under major landform and major land use in a district could be derived easily from the report published by the organization.
Generation of realistic information on degraded lands of the country is utmost necessary. It should be given due importance and taken up on mission mode in order to check further degradation of the environment and loss of top fertile soils. The data base would enable to develop District Information System using advanced technology for periodic monitoring and development of degraded lands.
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