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IAPRS & SIS, Vol.34, Part 7, “Resource and Environmental Monitoring”, Hyderabad, India, 2002 
on plant growth depends on the type of crop, type of soil and 
the quantity and quality of water. Waterlogged areas are 
identified by observing water levels in the existing wells in the 
canal command areas and by taking 10 cm diameter auger 
holes. Well water levels are observed twice in a year during 
pre-monsoon (April-May) and post-monsoon (Nov-Dec) 
period. They are also identified on the basis of natural 
vegetation like bull rush, Typha,  Kunda etc. Survey of 
literature reveals that satellite data are being used regularly for 
mapping and monitoring of waterlogged areas (Sharma & 
Bhargava,1988; Dwivedi & Deka, 1990;). 
In general FCC print of satellite data enables to identify and 
map surface waterlogged areas in alluvial and red soil of upland 
areas which are manifested in different shades of blue with 
smooth texture. Spaceborne multispectral data was found to be 
of limited use in black soil areas because of the similarities in 
spectral response of non-waterlogged black soil areas and 
waterlogged black soils. Temporal satellite data enables to 
identify areas with a thin film of water at the surface or surface 
waterlogged. In the command areas, satellite data of 
November/December period was found useful for detection 
and mapping of waterlogged areas in consultation with pre- 
monsoon (April) and monsoon period data, ancillary 
information and field investigation. 
At NRSA monitoring of Waterlogged areas under major 
commands in various states had been carried out. In one such 
study (NRSA, 2001) in Krishna command in Satara district of 
Maharastra waterlogged areas were monitored using multi- 
temporal satellite data. However, comparison of area statistics 
of waterlogging derived from satellite data of 1998 with that of 
the statistics reported by command area authorities in 1994-95 
revealed that the area under waterlogging has decreased. This 
is probably due to implementation of drainage schemes in 
waterlogged areas identified by command area authorities. 
A digital model for land degradation mapping using Landsat 
MSS data has also developed covering Sabalgarh Tehsil, 
Morena district, M.P (Fig. 1 and 2 ). Further research and 
experiment is essential to operationalise the digital techniques 
of land degradation mapping (AISLUS 1996). 
  
Figure 5 FCC of Sabalgarh Tehsil, Morena District (UP) 
691 
  
Class_Names 
Background 
Open Scrub Deep-Very Deep Ravines 
Open Scrub Shallow-Mod.Deep Ravines 
Open Scrub Hilly Severe Water Erosion 
Open Scrub Undu. Severe Water Eroslor 
Open Scrub Saline >50%White Crust 
Open Scrub Saline <50%White Crust 
Agriculture Shallow-Mod Deep Ravines 
Agriculture Undu. Severe Water Erosior 
Agriculture Seasonal Waterlogged 
Forest HillySevere Water Erosion 
Forest Undu. Severe Water Erasion 
Agriculture Normal 
sues Open Scrub 
mem Forest Normal 
ma Canal 
Emm Waterbodies 
mmm River 
in 
= 
B 
m 
m n 
HU 
Figure - 6 Digital Classification of Degraded Lands 
7. NATIONAL MISSION ON MAPPING SOILS AND 
LAND DEGRADATION 
The estimated total food grains requirement of India in the 
coming years is likely to be around 245 million tonnes by 2006- 
2007. This will lead to tremendous pressure on soil. resources 
along with competitive demand for it from industrialisation and 
urbanisation. However, the capacity of soils to produce is 
limited and if, they are over exploited it leads to various land 
degradational problems as mentioned in previous sections. The 
soil degradation in India is reaching alaraming proportion and 
this issue is to be taken very seriously by policymakers and 
administrators, as it is a real threat to limiting future 
agricultural output and forest production, as well as risks to 
human health. Development of degraded lands is also an 
alternative to high input agriculture to achieve sustainability in 
agricultural production in India. In India, nation wide mapping 
of soils and land degradation is essential due to the following 
reasons: 
* No realistic database on soils and degraded lands is 
available in the country 
e Statistics produced by several agencies on degraded lands 
vary widely due to varying nomenclature and techniques 
(Table -3 ). 
e Strategic planning to combat the menace of degradation of 
lands; and for 
e Land development with scientific means for sustained 
agricultural production and eco-development 
This calls for mapping of soils and degraded lands in mission 
mode at national level using single year satellite data 
pertaining to pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods at 
1:50,000 scale, uniform legend, methodology and standardised 
codes for digital data base. This also unifies the efforts of all 
the organisations in the country in terms of financial and 
manpower resources. 
Realizing need of scientific database on degraded land, 
Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of 
India launches land degradation mapping using remote sensing 
techniques in the 8" Five Year Plan. The task is under 
operation with All India Soil and Land Use Survey (AISLUS) 
to operationalise land degradation mapping ( Nair 2000 and 
Saini & Das 2000). It needs to be brought under mission mode 
to accomplish the mapping within certain time frame.