Abstract:
The entire stretch of Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains has large water-resource potential with respect to surface as well as groundwater. However, the unscientific and non-balance utilization of these water resources has given rise to several problems in certain areas. Satellite data reveals that these salt-affected lands are closely associated with canal irrigated areas and critical/semi-critical water-logging conditions. Temporal analysis of satellite data during last twenty years shows that there is substantial decrease in the intensity of salt-affected areas due to reclamation efforts where ground water level is deeper than 5 mbgl during post-monsoon period, but in other areas where shallow water table exists, reclamation efforts are less effective and perhaps non- sustainable.
In this study a spatial analysis is performed for establishing a correlation between the water resources management practices with the intensity and reclamation of salt-affected areas wtilising Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities. Several coverage of the study area (data layers) with different relevant themes are prepared. Several of these coverage were converted into polygon topology and were categorised theme-wise. By superposition of these individual themes, the entire study area is categorised into different zones. A correlation is established between the water resource management practices prevelant in sodic land reclamation areas and the district as a whole. Finally, best suitable water resources management practices are suggested.
