IAPRS & SIS, Vol.34, Part 7, "Resource and Environmental Monitoring", Hyderabad, India, 2002 
APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING AND GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION 
SYSTEM - RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND USE PLANNING : 
A CASE STUDY OF DHAR DISTRICT, MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA 
D.B. Tamgadge, K.S. Gajbhiye and C. Mandal 
National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (ICAR), Amravati Road, Nagpur, Maharashtra, 440 010, India 
E-mail:tamgadge@nbsslup.mah.nic.in 
KEYWORDS: Remote sensing, Geographical Information System, land use planning, sustainable, natural resources, soil 
taxonomy, soil degradation, etc. ; 
ABSTRACT: 
Landsat imageries interpreted considering false colour composite (FCC) for identification of landform untis, conducted ground 
truth, modified/corrected legend and superimposed it on1:250,000 scale topobase and utilized for soil resource mapping of the Dhar 
district of Madhya Pradesh, India. 
On a topobases of 1:250,000 scale used and marked 146 grids (10x10 km interval), 12 strips (50 sq.km area of each strips for want 
of 25-30 observation in each strip) and 40 random observation points (extensive/problematic/potential area and landform not 
covered in strip or grids). Pedons were exposed and studied for soil-site characteristics, morphological properties, collected soil 
samples for laboratory characterization and soils have been classified (Soil Taxonomy) correlated, compiled database and mapped as 
soil families association (2-3 soil families in a unit). The database have been interpreted for preparation of various thematic and soil 
suitability maps with the help of GIS techniques. 
In the area delineated eight landform units (fifteen subunits) classified soils as Lithic/Typic Ustorthents, Lithic/Typic/Vertic/Udic 
Haplustepts, Typic/Entic/Udic Haplusterts and mapped into 8 soil families associations. 
This database used to generate various thematic maps in GIS mode (parenthesis no. Indicates kinds or units or classes) as geology 
(2), landform (8, unit and subunits 15), slope (4), drainage (3), erosion (3), soil depth (5), surface texture (2), available water 
capacity (AWC) (4), clay mineralogy (3), soil reaction (pH) (3), cation exchange capacity (CEC) (3), organic carbon status (3), 
available K status (3), and database further interpreted for land capability sub classes (6, class and subclass 11), soil and land 
irrigability subclass (5 class and subclass 11), productivity potential (3), agro-ecological units (15), length of growing period (LGP) 
(5) and soil degradation (5 class and subclass 20). The said database utilized for land evaluation and worked out soil suitability for 
both arable and non-arable uses. A soil suitability map have been prepared for commonly grown crops such as jowar, soybean, 
maize, wheat, gram, sugarcane, mustard, cotton, groundnut, moong, vegetables, sugarcane and commercial trees/plants as teak, sal, 
bamboo, eucalyptus and mixed forest. The soil suitability classes are (S1) highly suitable, (S2) moderately suitable, (S3) marginally 
suitable, (N1) not suitable (temporarily), and (N2) not suitable (permanently) are categorized and depicted on maps along with their 
area extent (7o TGA). Arable uses five classes (S1, S2, S3, N1, N2) and for non-arable uses only three classes (S1, S2 and S3) are 
used. 
The proposed classes of soil suitability and its depiction on maps are carried out with the help of remote sensed data and GIS 
technique which are precise and quick tools for dissemination of information to the users, researchers, administrators, planners, 
financers, policy makers, etc. for making overall developmental plan for the district on sustainable basis. 
units, further superimposed it on geological formation, and 
INTRODUCTION superimposed it on 1:250,000 scale topobase. In the district 
marked 12 strips (50 sq.km.) area of each strip where maximum 
Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh lies between 22°01' to 22°16' landform units are encountered) 146 grids (10x10 km interval) 
N latitude and 74°25' to 75°42' E longitude of an area of 8153 and 40 random observations (extensive landform or landform 
km falls under semiarid (d) and semi arid (m) climatic not covered in strip or grid problematic or potential areas). Soil 
condition. The soils of the area are suitable for both agriculture, profiles exposed on the selected sites and studied for soil 
non-agriculture uses and commercial crop and plant species. morphological properties and collected of soil samples for 
The proper planning and management are essential to raise the laboratory characterization (Soil Survey Manual, 1960). The 
production per unit area. In view of this an attempt has been SOil samples were analysed for physical, physico-chemical, 
made to undertake the study with the help of Remote Sensing chemical properties (Jackson, 1967; Piper, 1950, Page et al. 
and GIS as an advance tools to complete the task in short 1982) and classified soils (Anonymous, 1998) compiled 
period so that its developmental activities can be taken up database and mapped as soll families association. These 
er | database further utilized for preparation of various thematic 
within short period. 
maps with the help of GIS and interpreted database for 
evaluation of soil suitability for arable and non-arable uses. The 
MATERIALS AND METHODS soil suitability classes as S1-Highly suitable, S2-Moderately 
; suitable, S3-Marginally suitable, N1-Not suitable (temporarily), 
A und imagenes false (lem pompes ECCO on N2-Not suitable (Permanently) are worked out by standard 
:250,000 scale was interpreted for identification of landform procedure (Sys,1985) evaluated and depicted on maps 
accordingly. 
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