Geological, geomorphological, hydrogeological and land use/land cover studies around kamthi area, Nagpur district, Maharashtra using remote sensing techniques

Abstract

Detailed geological, geomorphological, hydrogeological and land use/land cover studies have been carried out for the Kamthi and adjoining areas of district Nagpur by visual interpretation method of remote sensing data of IRS LISS III, FCC of bands 2, 3 and 4. The interpreted data is supplemented as well as cross-checked by field visits to add minor details of lithounits, nature of lithological contacts, geological and geomorphological features. On the basis of these studies, the various lithounits: Archaean metasediments, the Talchir Shale. the Barakar Sandstone, the Kamthi Sandstone, basalt and alluvium have been mapped. Geomorphological units are mainly of denudational and fluvial origins and are represented by dissected plateaus, pediplains, pediments and alluvium. The land use/land cover study shows that a major part of the area is covered by agricultural land followed by built up and waste land. The flowing and stagnant water bodies, mine and mine dump have also been identified. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to delineate the area with reference to ground water prospects into excellent, very good to good, moderate and poor ground water prospect zones. It has been observed that the sandstone lithounits form excellent aquifers while the basalt and shale form moderate to poor aquifers respectively.