Land Capability and Land Irrigability Classifications in Bastar Plateau of Chhattisgarh Agro-climatic conditions under Danadakarnaya region using high resolution Remote Sensing data

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in Goriyabahar Nala watershed in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh state, representing Danadakarnaya region of eastern plateau to characterize and classify the land capability and irrigability classes of various landform units as governed by the terrain features and climatic conditions for their proper utilization and management using high resolution satellite data sentinel-2 (10-meter resolution) and ALSO-DEM (12.5-meter resolution). Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was analyzed for terrain features like elevation, contour, slope, hillshade, drainage, etc. and seven landform units were identified by visual interpretation namely subdued hills, undulating uplands, undulating lowlands, upper valley, narrow valley, valley plains and alluvial plains based on various elevation differences. Soils were evaluated for their land capability and irrigability classes for various land use options over different landform units in the study region. The soils were grouped into three capability subclasses (IIIws, IVes and VIes) and three irrigability subclasses (2st, 3st and 5st) indicating 78.2 per cent area of the watershed were capable and irrigable for agriculture with some limitations and management needs and 3.7 per cent area was found to be not suitable (N1) and not irrigable for agriculture and is suitable for forestry and recreation purposes.