Characterization of degraded landforms in Balotra-Pachpadra area of arid western Rajasthan using Remote Sensing technique

Abstract

Studies carried out in 697.1 sq. km area in Balotra-Pachpadra region, Western Rajasthan, indicate that there are evidences of land degradation which have occurred due to environmental hazards caused by natural as well as human (biotic) interferences. The morphological characteristics of the landforms in this area indicate complex process-form interaction. In the north around Pachpadra, surface features indicate the long-term effect of natural hazards like wind and water erosion and salinity but in the south near Balotra area, the degradation process is indicative of man's role in the form of wastewater disposal by textile industries. Such inter-play of both the factors has affected the resources like land, water and the soil. Based on the synoptic image (satellite data) and the ground truth, the degraded landforms identified are hills, pediments, alluvial plains, flood plains, saline depressions, buried stream courses and the river bed. Soil investigations comprising of their physical-chemical characteristics indicate the dominance of natural salinity (sodium-chloride-sulphate type) and the prevalence of blown sand activity in the north but in the south the salinity/alkalinity situation has been aggravated by addition of effluent water in the land. Such situations have changed the quality of land in the region.