Mapping of wastelands of Kolar district using false colour composites of thematic mapper (TM) data

This study deals with the technique of remote sensing for identifying and deliniating wastelands in Kolar district of Karnataka. False colour composites of thematic mapper (TM) data supplemented by aerial photographs and toposheets wrere utiliesd for mapping wastelands. A map showing the geographic distribution of the wastelands in the districts was prepared on 1∶250,000 scales by compiling the individual wasteland sheets of 1∶50,000 scale. The seven different catagories of wastelands identified and mapped cover about 11.7% of the area in the district. A procedure for mapping wastelands has been worked out based on the experience gained in Kolar district which is a three phase system comprising image intrepretation of false colour composite of TM data, aerial photo interpretation and limited ground truth verification in the selected doubtful areas. This procedure was found to be adequate enough for mapping wastelands accurately in the shortest possible time with least expense and as such are recommended for mapping wastelands in other districts of the country.