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THE EFFECT OF MINING ON GEOMORPHOLOGY 
(Detection of changes by using Remote Sensing techniques) 
Author name: FALAK NAWAZ ‘ faalak@àvahoo.com 
Co-author: PROF. DR. HAMIDULLAH " hamidu& 
  
  
übrain.net.pk 
    
ARSHAD FAYAZ'" sajeelarshad&hotmail.com 
Affiliation & Official Address: 
*&* 
* ; TA : = ; . 3 ; 
National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Pakistan. 
* kx . ~ . + 
Geological Survey of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan 
KEY WORDS 
Geology, Geomorphology, Geographical Information 
System, Remote Sensing, monitoring, change detection, 
3-dimensional 
ABSTRACT 
The study focuses on the use of Remote Sensing 
techniques for the detection of changes and effects of 
mining on Geomorphology, especially the use of 
sequential images allow us to detect changes taken place 
from time to time. Nowadays, GIS and Remote Sensing 
are emerging as powerful techniques widely applicable in 
natural resource management and development. These 
techniques, not only enable a manageable storage and 
prompt access to large volumes of data, but also provide 
efficient tools to extract information/knowledge for 
logical decision making. Recent developments in Remote 
Sensing, Aerial Photography and GIS make it possible to 
detect changes and devise strategies based on these 
changes. 
For this purpose, the Margalla hills range are 
selected where the aerial photograph of 1953, 1986 and 
1999 are available. This area lies at a distance of 30 km 
from the Capital City; Islamabad. From the last 30 years 
when the Capital city came into being, after that time, the 
Margalla hills remained the main supplier of limestone 
for the construction of buildings, roads and bridges to the 
Islamabad and surrounding areas. Geologically, the rocks 
in the area range in age from Jurassic to Paleocene and 
are of sedimentary origin. It mainly comprises of 
sandstone and shale, which is very suitable for 
construction of building and bridges. That is the reason 
that the beautiful and green Margalla hills are being eaten 
up by limestone mining and crushing activities which in 
addition to the destruction of the natural landscape is 
causing large scale environmental degradation and air 
pollution. The site is exposed on the main Grand Trunk 
Road, which connects Islamabad with rest of the Punjab 
and North West Frontier Provinces of Pakistan. The 
available aerial photographs shows the situation before 
mining, during the mid of mining and now the latest 
situation. Visual and digital image interpretation of the 
available images together with GIS techniques will lead 
1301 
us to conclude and recommend certain concrete steps to 
stop mining and propose certain other sites suitable for 
the mining. 
INTRODUCTION 
The study area lies at the border of Islamabad (the Capital 
of Pakistan) and Rawalpindi Districts. Geographically, it 
stretches from 33?, 42/ to 33% 44’ north latitude and 72° 
46' to 72°, 52/ east longitude (Figure 1). Margalla hill 
range starts from this point and further run north-west 
direction which ultimately joins the Murree mountain 
series. Lslamabad, the Capital City; is located in the 
southern foothills of Margalla hill range. This area lies at 
a distance of about 30 km from Islamabad. From the last 
30-35 years, when the Capital city came into being, after 
that time, the Margalla hills remained the main supplier 
of limestone for the construction of buildings, roads and 
bridges to the Islamabad and surrounding areas. 
Geologically, the rocks in the area range in age from 
Jurassic to Paleocene and are of sedimentary origin. It 
mainly comprises of sandstone and shale, which is very 
suitable for the construction of building and bridges. That 
is the reason that the beautiful and green Margalla hills 
are being eaten up by limestone mining and crushing 
activities (Figure 2), which in addition to the destruction 
of the natural landscape is causing large scale 
environmental degradation and air pollution. The site is 
exposed on the main Grand Trunk Road, which connects 
Islamabad with rest of the Punjab and North West 
Frontier Provinces of Pakistan. The available aerial 
photographs shows the situation before mining, during 
the mid of mining and now the latest situation. Figure 3a, 
b & c show the gradual depletion of the Margalla hill 
range. Aerial Photograph of 1953 (Figure 3a) shows the 
situation before the start of the mining activities, where 
the beautiful Margalla hill is standing proudly and 
increases the beauty of nature. While Figure 3b & 3c, 
which have been taken during 1986 and 1999 
respectively, show that the beautiful Margalla are being 
eaten up by the mining activities. Plate 1 to 4 also 
clarifies the situation, where the crusher machines are 
eaten up the Margalla very hungrily. 
  
  
  
     
  
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Figure 1: Location Map of Margalla Hill Range