An Approach for Evaluating Land Degradation due to Mining Using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System:-A Case Study

摘要

Mining is a very important segment after agriculture for the development and prosperity of a country. It plays a very important role in building a country self sufficient. The mining of mineral resources whether by open cast or underground methods have severe environmental implications, which commences with the exploration phase, extends through mining, extraction and processing of minerals and continues even afterthe cessation of mining activity. The magnitude of these impacts depends to a large extent, on the existing environmental conditions, mining methodology and size of operations, geomorphology and socio economic status of the people. To maintain worthy environmental living conditions, regular monitoring of such areas at periodic intervals is required. In recent years, remote sensing from orbital platforms has emerged as a powerful tool for inventorying, mapping and monitoring of the natural resources and is increasingly finding its use in monitoring ecological conditions at a micro scale. Remote sensing has emerged as unique and extremely important tool in understanding and monitoring the environmental conditions. The real spurt in the worldwide usage of the technology came with the launch of Landsat series of satellites. The advantage of satellite remote sensing systems is the fact thatthey provide a vantage point in space to study the earth and its environment and provide a unique opportunity for inventorying, mapping and monitoring. This paper deals with a case study of Giral lignite mine in Barmer district of Rajasthan. Efforts have been made to evaluate land degradation using 2006 and 2008 satellite images. More emphasis has been provided towards the land pollution'due to mining operations viz. extraction, dumping plantation etc. and comparison has been made for four year using satellite images.