Geospatial technique for characterization, evaluation and management of land resources of Shegaon watershed, district Chandrapur, Maharashtra

Characterization, evaluation and management of land resources in Shegaon watershed of Chandrapur district of Maharashtra were carried out using IRS-LISS-IV and LISS-III data and GIS coupled with ground truth verification. Six major landform units viz. isolated mound, subdued plateau, upper pediment, lower pediment, upper plain and lower plain were identified and delineated. Based on image characteristics, the major land use/ land cover identified were cultivated land, wasteland with and without scrub, habitation and water bodies. Cultivated land is again delineated into single and double crop based on temporal data. Seven soil series were tentatively identified and mapped as series and complex with phases on 1:12, 500 scales based on landform-soil relationship. Soils occurring on moderately sloping (8-15%) isolated mound were very shallow, well drained (Typic Ustorthents) whereas soils on subdued plateau were shallow belong to Lithic and Typic Haplustepts     sub-groups. Typic and Vertic Haplusterts in complex were identified on gently sloping (1-3%) upper pediment. Soils of lower pediments were deep Typic Haplusterts. Upper plain lands of the watershed had very deep, (Typic Haplusterts) whereas soils of lower plains were Sodic Haplusterts. These soils were grouped IIIs, IIIsf, IVs, IVf, IVsf and VIs land capability sub-classes and 2st, 3st, 4s and 4st land irrigability sub-classes. The soil suitability class indicated that very shallow to shallow soils are potentially suitable (N1) to marginally suitable while deep to very deep soils are marginally to moderately suitable to paddy, cotton, soybean, sorghum, red gram and chickpea crops. Suitable conservation measures and interventions have been suggested to improve the productivity of these soils.