STUDY OF SALINITY AND WATERLOGGING IN UTTAR-PRADESH (INDIA) USING REMOTE-SENSING DATA

Salinization/alkalization and waterlogging have rendered a sizeable ar ea of India's arable lands unproductive. These highly dynamic phenomen a can be studied using remote sensing data collected at regular interv als. Landsat Multispectral Scanner data of 28 February 1975 and 9 Marc h 1990 were interpreted visually to derive information about the spati al extent and distribution of salt-affected soils. A significant decre ase in the area of salt-affected soils was noted over this period, whi ch can be attributed to reclamation efforts by government agencies and farmers. On a large scale, i.e. 1:50 000, the waterlogged area could also be mapped using a Landsat Thematic Mapper false-colour composite print.