Anil Sood

Hydrogeomorphological mapping in assessing ground water by using remote sensing data — A case study in lehra gaga block, sangrur district, Punjab

The paper presents the results of hydrogeomorphological mapping using IRS-IB LISS II data and evaluation of ground water prospects of each hydrogeomorphological unit in the Lehra Gaga block of Sangrur district, Punjab. The major geomorphic units identified in the area are, alluvial plain, sand dunes, palaeo channels and the Ghagar flood plain. The study area being part of alluvial plain has good to excellent ground water prospects. Field observations showed that ground water occurs under both confined and unconfined conditions with water table at shallow depth. The area on either side of the Ghagar river and along the major canals (about 46% of the total geographical area in the block) have good quality of ground water and is suitable for irrigation, whereas the water quality is marginal (sodic) in 52 per cent area of the block..

Hydrogeology of Talwandi Sabo Tehsil, Bathinda District (Punjab): A remote sensing approach

Studies on water resources and hydrogeology of an area have become much easier with the help of Remote Sensing Technology. As an attempt to evaluate hydrogeology and ground water conditions of the tehsil Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda district, a hydromorphogeological map of the area was prepared through visual interpretation of satellite imagery. The study shows that the study area, a part of the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plain, is occupied by a large number of sand-dune complexes deposited by the ancient Satluj River while traversing the area during the past. Later on reworking of sand-dunes by aeolian action and their physical removal for agricultural purposes resulted in the present landscape of a plain land with sanddune complexes. Unconsolidated Quaternary alluvial sediments consisting of fine to medium-grained sand with admixture of kankar and some clay constitute the aquifer system of the area. Studies show that ground water occurs under both confined and unconfined conditions with water table at shallow depths. But the quality of the ground water is poor to marginal in most of the area except in the vicinity of main canal (Kotla Branch) where water seepage from canals has made the ground water good in quality.

DERIVATION OF INDICES USING REMOTE SENSING DATA TO EVALUATE CROPPING SYSTEMS

This paper presents the work done in Bathinda District of Punjab state of India for evaluating the cropping system efficiency using multi-date, multi-year and multi-sensor satellite based remote sensing data along with various spatial and non-spatial collateral data. Three efficiency indices, such as Multiple Cropping Index (MCI), Area Diversity Index (DI), Cultivated Land Utilization Index (CLUI), have been worked out to characterize the cropping systems. The salient findings point out that, the MCI has, increased remarkably. A further increase is possible by only taking a third crop. The ADI has increased in kharif (rainy) season, due to introduction of rice in the cotton belt, however in rabi (winter) season the ADI has reduced nearly to one, showing it to be a mono-cropped situation. The CLUI is low (> 0.5) in many blocks, showing there is a great scope to improve it. Since in summer the land is remaining unutilized, a summer crop can very well be taken up to improve it.

Analysis of cropping pattern changes in Bathinda district, Punjab

A study was conducted in the Bathinda district of Punjab state for mapping the cropping pattern and crop rotation, monitoring long term changes in cropping pattern by using the satellite based remote sensing data along other spatial and non-spatial collateral data. Multi-date IRS LISS I and IRS WiFS sensor data have been used for this study. Cropping pattern maps and crop rotation maps were generated for the years 1988-89 and 1998-99. The present study has shown the increase of cropping intensity significantly, mainly due to increase in rice area. However, crop diversity has decreased mainly due to decline in the area under the minor crops like pearl millet, gram, rapeseed/ mustard. There is increase in area coverage of cotton-wheat and rice-wheat rotation, at the expense of the minor crops.

Use of GIS and remote sensing for crop diversification — a case study for Punjab state

In this study, an attempt has been made to suggest crop diversification based on soil and weather requirements of different crops. State level spatial databases of various agro-physical parameters such as rainfall, soil texture, physiography and problem soil along with the agricultural area derived from remote sensing data were integrated using GIS. A raster based modelling approach was followed to arrive at suitable zones for practicing different cropping systems. The results showed that the south-western Punjab is suitable for low water requiring crops such as desi cotton, pearl millet, gram etc., where as north-eastern Punjab with high rainfall and excess drainage should practice maize based cropping system. Rice can be substituted by maize and other crops in Central Punjab, where water table is going down fast. Using this approach the area of rice based cropping system can be reduced from present 24.7 lakh ha to 19.6 lakh ha, thereby reducing the degradation of valuable land and water resources.