Application of Landsat imagery in terrain analysis of Mahanadi Basin for rational land-use planning

Abstract

Soil information is a prerequisite for rational land-use planning for sustainable agricultural production. Landsat imagery provides a basic tool to study soil characteristics of judicious utilization of soil resources in the various development plans of a region. The Mahanadi Basin is endowed with a variety of geological formations, varied landscapes and faulted hills, dykes, intervening valleys, plateau and plains with luxuriant forest vegetation and ground water potential. The region remains undeveloped in spite of its rich natural resources. Recently an attempt to use aerial photographs as a base map was used for terrain analysis of the Mahanadi Basin. The results of the study are presented here.