GEOMATICS ANALYSIS ON LAND USE LAND COVER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM IN PRECAMBRIAN TERRAIN OF CHITRADURGA DISTRICT KARNATAKA, INDIA

International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print),
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online), Volume 6, Issue 2, February (2015), pp. 46-60 © IAEME
46
GEOMATICS ANALYSIS ON LAND USE LAND COVER
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM IN PRECAMBRIAN TERRAIN
OF CHITRADURGA DISTRICT KARNATAKA, INDIA
Manjunatha M.C1
, Basavarajappa H.T2
, Jeevan L3
1,2,3
Department of Studies in Earth Science, Centre for Advanced Studies in Precambrian Geology,
University of Mysore, Manasagangothri, Mysuru-570 006, Karnataka, India
ABSTRACT
Earth's land use/land cover (LC/LU) classification provides information particularly on
natural resources, mapping and monitoring. There is a significant change on LC/LU across the globe
due to the climatic changes, rapid increase in population and over demand of the growing economic
minerals. The present aim is to map, implement and monitor the land use/land cover classification
using high-tech tools of geomatics in database generation, analyses and information extraction. Land
use/land cover maps are prepared using satellite images in conjunction with collateral data like
Survey of India (SoI) toposheets of 1:50,000 scale. Remote Sensing (RS) satellite data with its
synoptic view and multispectral data provides essential information in proper planning of LU/LC
conditions of larger areas. An attempt have been made to delineate the level-1, level-2 and level-3
LU/LC classification system through NRSC guidelines (1995) using both digital and visual image
interpretation techniques by Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software’s with limited
Ground Truth Check (GTC). More accurate classification is observed in case of digital technique as
compared to that of visual technique in terms of area statistics. The final results highlight the
potentiality of geomatics in classification of LU/LC patterns around Chitradurga district, Karnataka,
in natural resource mapping and its management.
Keywords: LU/LC Classification; Visual & Digital interpretation; Geomatics; Chitradurga.
1. INTRODUCTION
Land is a non-renewable resource and mapping of LU/LC is essential for planning and
development of land and water resources in a region of engineering projects under progress. Land-
use determined by environmental factors such as soil characteristics, climate, topography, vegetation,
basic human forces that motivate production and its responses to environmental changes. (Dinakar
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ISSN 0976 – 6308 (Print)
ISSN 0976 – 6316(Online)
Volume 6, Issue 2, February (2015), pp. 46-60
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S., 2005; Dinakar and Basavarajappa., 2005). Different classes of vegetation tend to slow down and
intercept the surface flow of run-off water leading to maximize infiltration. Proper management and
development of these lands should be initiated to increase the land productivity, restoration of soil
degradation, reclamation of wastelands, increase in environmental qualities and to meet the needs of
rapidly growing population of the country. Remote Sensing and GIS data provides better impact on
land resource management, monitoring, mapping and change detection at varying spatial ranges
(Anji Reddy., 2000; Singh et al., 2010). In modern times, satellite based remote sensing technology
has been developed, which are of immense value for preparing LU/LC map and their monitoring at
regular periodic intervals of time (Kumar et al., 2004). Land use systems need thorough systematic
monitoring and management to maintain food security, to minimize deforestation, conservation of
biological diversity and protection of natural resources. The land use/land cover classification
scheme of 1:50,000 scale is divided into Level-1: 6 classes; Level-2: 20 classes and Level-3: 3
classes (NRSA, 2007; Basavarajappa et al., 2013, 2014c).
2. STUDY AREA
The study area lies in between 13°34' to 15°02' N latitude and 76°00' to 77°01' E longitude
with a total areal extent of 8,448 Km2
(Fig.1) (Basavarajappa et al., 2014a). It include six taluks
namely Challakere, Chitradurga, Hiriyur, Holalkere, Hosadurga and Molakalmuru with general
ground elevation of 732 m above MSL. The study area experiences a hot, seasonally dry, tropical
savannah climate with average annual rainfall recorded are 631 mm (2013). Temperature ranges
from 170
C to 410
C and fall up to 120
C during winter season. The main food crops grown are as Rice,
Ragi, Jowar and Maize; Pulses & seed crops area as Red gram, Horse gram, Green gram, Bengal
gram and Tur. The commercial crops such as Sugarcane, Cotton and Tobacco are also grown. Palms,
Palmyra, Conifer, Bamboo and other tress are noticed in parts of Holalkere and Neerthadi reserved
forest ranges of Chitradurga district.

48
3. METHODS & MATERIALS
3.1 Methodology
LU/LC maps are prepared using satellite image in conjunction with collateral data like SoI
topomaps on 1:50,000 scale by considering permanent features such as major roads, drainages,
power-lines, railways, settlements, co-ordinates, forests and village boundaries. Visual interpretation
of IRS-1D PAN+LISS-III FCC of Band 3,2,1 on 1:50,000 scale (Fig.3) is carried out and updated on
Google Earth Image (Fig.4) in delineating the various LU/LC categories. The satellite data of two
seasons are acquired (Rabi in Dec-2005 and Kharif in Oct-2006) to estimate the spatial distribution
and temporal variability of different LU/LC pattern. These classifications are carried out based on
the standard schemes developed by National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA, 1995).
3.2 Materials used
a. Topomaps: 57A/12; 57B/3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16; 57C/1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13
(Fig.2). Source: Survey of India (SoI) of 1:50,000 scale.
b. Satellite Data: IRS-1D LISS-III of 23.5m Resolution and PAN of 5.8m (March & Nov-2005 &
06). Google Earth Image of >5m resolution (Date of acquisition: March-2007)
Source: National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Hyderabad; Google Earth software.
c. GIS software’s: Arc Info v3.2, Erdas Imagine v2011 and Arc GIS v10.
d. GPS: Garmin 12 is used to check conditions of the land use/land cover patterns during field visits.

49
4. CLASSIFICATION ANALYSIS USING GEOMATICS
Satellite Remote Sensing has been extensively utilized for Satellite data acquisition at
periodic intervals to monitor the land resources and to evaluate the land use/ land cover classification
and its impact on environment (Dinakar and Basavarajappa., 2005; Basavarajappa et al., 2014c).
Geomatics are used as an advent high-tech tool for LC/LU classification system to analyze and to
maintain the natural resources (NRSA, 1995). Information on land use/land cover is of utmost
importance in hydro-geological investigation as the groundwater regime of a region is influenced by
the type of land use/land cover patterns. Hence the satellite based data is very much useful in
preparing the precise land use/land cover maps in a very short time period using geomatics as
compared to that of conventional/traditional methods. Different LU/LC are delineated and classified
based on the key elements of image characteristics like tone, texture, shape, shadow, pattern,
association, background etc. Level-1 classification consists of 6 major categories such as agricultural
land, built-up land, forest, wastelands, water bodies and others (Fig.5; Table.1) are further divided
into sub-categories of level-2 (Fig.6; Table.2); keeping the area under investigation. Level-3
classification has been carried out in detail on agricultural and forest lands to study the cropping
pattern (Fig.7; Table.3). Digital interpretation and post classification comparison techniques are
adopted to observe the changes among various land uses over a period (Rubee and Thie, 1978;
Likens and Maw, 1982; Priyakant et al., 2001).
Table.1 Land use/land cover classification system (NRSA, 1995)
LEVEL – 1 LEVEL – 2 LEVEL – 3
1 Built – up land
1.1 Towns/Cities
1.2 Villages
2 Agricultural Land
2.1 Crop land
2.1.1 Kharif
2.1.2 Tank irrigated kharif
2.1.3 Rabi
2.1.4 Kharif + Rabi (Double cropped)
2.2 Fallow
2.3 Plantation
3 Forest
3.1 Evergreen/ Semi evergreen
3.1.1 Dense
3.2.2 Open
3.2 Deciduous (Moist & Dry)
3.2.1 Dense
3.2.2 Open
3.3 Scrub Forest
3.4 Forest Blank
3.5 Forest Plantations
3.6 Mangroves
4 Wastelands
4.1 Salt Affected Land
4.2 Waterlogged Land
4.3 Marshy / Swampy Land
4.4 Gullied / Ravinous Land
4.5 Land with scrub
4.6 Land without scrub
4.7 Sandy area (Coastal & Desert)
4.8 Mining/ Industrial Wasteland
4.9 Barren rocky/Stony waste/Sheet rock area
5 Water Bodies
5.1 River / Stream
5.2 Canals
5.3 Lake / Reservoirs / Tanks
6 Others
6.1 Shifting Cultivation
6.2 Grassland/ Grazing land
6.2.1 Dense
6.2.2 Degraded
6.3 Salt Pans
6.4 Snow covered / Glacial Area

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9. LAND USE/LAND COVER CLASSIFICATION
9.1 Agricultural land
These are the land primarily used for farming, production of food, fiber, other commercial
and horticultural crops including land under crops (irrigated and unirrigated), fallow, plantations, etc.
This category covers an area of 6273.66 Km2
(74.4%) (Fig.5)
9.1.1 Crop Land: The crops may be either Kharif/Rabi seasons or double cropped including
irrigated and unirrigated, fallow, plantation etc (NRSA, 1989). The area under crops have digitized
based on the standing crops as on the date of satellite image acquisition using both Kharif & Rabi
seasons. This covers an area of 5,706.02 Km2
(67.67%) (Fig.6).
9.1.1.a Double Cropped: The main cropping season, kharif, starts from May and ends by
September. The cropping intensity is very high due to physical factors such as flat terrain, fertile soil
and irrigated from canal system. Most of the double crop areas are concentrated adjacent to the rivers
flowing in the study area. On FCC, the double crop show a dark red tone with square pattern
representing soil covers with higher amount of moisture near the streams. The cultivated lands at
elevated zones represent bright red tone representing less amount of moisture and deeper levels of
groundwater prospect zones. This category has been identified and mapped using the two season
satellite images. This category covers an area of 774.46 Km2
(13.57%) (Fig.7).
9.1.1.b Kharif: These are the standing crops from June to September associated with rainfed crops
under dry land farming and limited irrigation. The cultivated land of Kharif season on FCC shows
bright red tone. The areas in single crop system with moderately deep to deep soil on nearly level to
very gently sloping with good to moderate groundwater potential/accessible surface water resources
or both can be put into intensive cropping system. Kharif crops such as groundnut, sunflower, jowar,
bajra and horsegram grown under rainfed condition and paddy & ground nut are grown under
irrigated conditions. The land occupies an area of 4,269.58 Km2
(74.82%) (Fig.7).
9.1.1.c Rabi Season: These are another type of standing crops from October to February. Rabi
season data found to be very much useful in discriminating other plantations from croplands by
multi-temporal data of the period. These are noticed in north eastern parts of Chitradurga taluk,
northwestern parts of Hiriyur taluk and in small parts of Holalkere, Hosadurga and Molkalmuru
taluks covering an area of 661.97 Km2
(11.6%) (Fig.7).
Table.2. Image Characteristics of various land use/land cover categories of the study area (as seen in
FCC)
LU/LC category Tone/ color Size Shape Texture Pattern
Agricultural
plantation
Dark red to red Small to large
Regular to
Irregular
Coarse to
medium
Dispersed
contiguous
Barren rocky/
Sheet rock
Greenish blue
to yellow to
brownish
Varying in
size
Irregular,
discontinuous
Coarse to
medium
Linear to contiguous
and dispersed
Built-up land
Dark bluish
green
Small to big Irregular Coarse
Clustered to
Scattered
Crop land
Bright red to
red
Varying in
size
Regular to
Irregular
Medium to
Smooth
Contiguous to non-
Contiguous
Deciduous forest Red
Varying in
size
Irregular,
discontinuous
Smooth to
medium
(depends on
crown density)
Contiguous to non-
Contiguous

51
Fallow land
Yellow to
greenish blue
Small to big
Regular to
Irregular
Medium to
Smooth
Contiguous to non-
Contiguous
Forest land Dark red
Varying in
size
Irregular,
discontinuous
Smooth to
medium
(depends on
crown density)
Contiguous to non-
Contiguous
Forest plantation Light red to red
Varying in
size
Regular to
Irregular
Smooth to
medium
Contiguous to non-
Contiguous
Gullied/Ravenous
land
Light yellow to
bluish green
Varying in
size
Regular, broken
Very coarse to
coarse
Dendritic to sub-
dendritic
Land with scrub
Light yellow to
brown to
greenish blue
Varying in
size
Irregular,
discontinuous
Coarse to
mottled
Contiguous
dispersed
Land without
scrub
Light yellow to
brown
Varying in
size
Irregular,
discontinuous
Coarse to
mottled
Contiguous
dispersed
Mining/Industrial
area
Light bluish to
black dark gray
Small to
medium in
size
Irregular in shape Mottled texture
Contiguous
dispersed
Reservior/
River/stream
Light blue to
dark blue
Long narrow
and wide
Irregular, Sinuous
Smooth to
medium
Contiguous,
dendritic/sub-
dendritic
Salt affected land
White to light
blue
Small to
medium
Irregular,
discontinuous
Smooth to
mottled
Dispersed, non-
contiguous
Scrub forest
Light red to
brown (depends
on canopy
cover)
Varying in
size
Irregular,
discontinuous
Coarse to
mottled
Contiguous to non-
Contiguous
Water bodies
Light blue to
dark blue
(Subject to
depth, weeds)
Small,
medium,
large
Regular to
Irregular
Smooth to
mottled
Non-contiguous
dispersed
9.1.2 Fallow land: The agricultural land which is taken up for cultivation but is temporarily allowed
to rest, uncropped for one more season with less than one year. These are particularly devoid of
crops at the time; when the imagery is taken from both seasons. On FCC, fallow land shows yellow
to greenish blue tone, irregular shape with varying size associated with amidst crop land as harvested
agriculture field. The total area under this category is 65 Km2
(0.77%) (Fig.6).
9.1.3 Agricultural Plantations: The areas with tree plantation or fruits orchards planned by
adopting certain agricultural management techniques undoubtedly considered to be lucrative as
compared to agriculture crops; further no tedious maintenance is required for the plantation.
Differentiation of plantation from cropland is possible by multi-temporal data of the period matching
harvesting time of the inter-row crop or the flowering of the plantation crop. Overall, rabi season
data found to be very much useful in discriminating these plantations from croplands. This category
covers an area of 502.62 Km2
(5.96 %) (Fig.6).
9.1.4 Prosopis Juliflora: Prosopis juliflora is capable of growing in problematic salt affected soils
and one of the most tolerant species for saline, alkaline soils (Maliwal, 1999). Growing Prosopis
juliflora for ten years can significantly decreases pH, EC, Ca, Mg, K, CO3, HCO3, SO4 and Cl. These
are noticed on red sandy loam soils of Hiriyur taluk derived from gneiss and schist-chlorites with

52
few bands of ferruginous quartzite (Basavaraja et al., 2007). These are noticed occupying almost all
the road sides, neglected areas, lakes and margins of forest lands covering an area of 42.12 Km2
(0.49 %) (Fig.6).
Table.3 Level-1 land use /land cover classification
Sl No Level-1 Area (Km2
) Percentage (%)
1. Agricultural land 6273.6615 74.40
2. Built up land 94.2260 1.11
3. Forest land 741.1825 8.79
4. Wastelands 841.6576 9.98
5. Water bodies 384.9181 4.56
6. others 96.2902 1.14
8431.9359 99.98

53
9.2 Built-up land
The land surfaces of man-made constructions due to non-agricultural use including buildings,
transportation network, communication, industrial, commercial complexes, utilities and services in
association with water, vegetation and vacant lands. Collectively, cities, towns and habitations are
included under this category (Basavarajappa et al., 2013). The total aerial extent of built-up land is
94.22 Km2
(1.11%) (Fig.5).
9.2.1 Urban (Towns and Cities): Land used for human settlement of population more than 5000 of
which more than 80% of the work forces are involved in non-agricultural activities is termed as
urban land use. Most of the land covered by building structures is parks, institutions, playgrounds
and other open space within built up areas. Urban land occupies an area of 15.23 Km2
(0.18 %)
(Fig.6).
9.2.2 Rural (Villages): Land used for human settlement of size comparatively less than the urban
settlement of which more than 80% of people are involved in agricultural activities. Villages can be
clearly noticed from toposheet & satellite images with number of houses, inter spread with trees and
agriculture fields especially in south western parts of study area occupied by thick forest with hilly
region. The area occupied by this class is about 78.73 Km2
(0.93%) (Fig.6).
9.3 Forest
The area (within the notified forest boundary) bearing an association predominantly of trees,
other vegetation types capable of producing timer and other forest products. Satellite data has
become useful tool in mapping the different forest types and density classes with reliable accuracy
through visual as well as digital techniques (Madhavanunni, 1992; Roy et al., 1990; Sudhakar et al.,
1992). Forests exert influence on climate, water regime and provide shelter for wildlife and livestock
(FAO, 1963). The area under this category is 741.18 Km2
(8.79 %) (Fig.5).

54
Table.4. Level-2 land use/land cover classification
Sl. No Level-2 Area (Km2
) Percentage (%)
1. Agricultural plantation 502.6252 5.96
2. Barren rocky/stony waste/sheet rock area 114.0821 1.35
3. Crop land 5706.0266 67.67
4. Deciduous forest 136.8978 1.62
5. Degraded forest 232.8372 2.76
6. Fallow land 65.0095 0.77
7. Forest plantations 37.4425 0.44
8. Gullied/Ravenous land 22.2030 0.26
9. Land with scrub 581.3225 6.89
10. Land without scrub 25.5328 0.30
11. Mining/industrial wasteland 2.3603 0.02
12. Prosopis juliflora 42.1221 0.49
13. Reservoir 90.7647 1.07
14. River island 1.6319 0.01
15. Rivers/streams/lakes/ponds 292.5214 3.46
16. Rural (Village) 78.7377 0.93
17. Salt affected land 96.4147 1.14
18. Scrub forest 334.0048 3.96
19. Tree groves 54.1580 0.64
20. Urban (Town/cities) 15.2302 0.18
Total 8432.0969 99.92
9.3.1 Deciduous forest: The common type occurring over large areas in the plains in various stages
of degradation of tropical dry deciduous forests. However these forests are in a fluid state and may
progress into dry deciduous forests if proper protection is provided. Most parts of Kudirekanive,
Jogimatti, Lakkihalli, Suvarnamukhi State Forest are of this type (Ganesh Babu., 2013). Teak,
Terminalia and Padauk are some of the economically important trees noticed in deciduous forest.
Type, crown density and composition of forest vegetation along with degradational stage help in the

55
analysis of deciduous forest vegetation under acceptable limits of accuracy. These deciduous forests
are well intermixed with evergreen forest in central and southern parts. Multi-temporal data,
particularly during October and March/April seasons help in their discrimination from other forest
types. The area occupied by this category is 136.89 Km2
(1.62%) (Fig.6).
9.3.2 Degraded Forest: Forest cover with less than 10% is called as degraded forest. The
degradation is brought about by maltreatment meted out by repeated felling, grazing and forest fires.
On the contrary, if further ravaged it, ultimately degrades into thorny type and ultimately dry grass
prevails and naked boulders are exposed. The general floristic composition is almost the same as in
Southern dry mixed deciduous forests but for the fact that the crop is sparse and much degraded.
These are observed in Elakuranahalli, Elladakere, Gollarahatti, Bagganadu of Hiriyur taluk,
Alagavadi, Hire Kandavadi of Chitradurga, Katamdevarakote of Challakere taluk and few parts of
Molakalmuru taluk. This category covers an area of 232.83 Km2
(2.76 %) (Fig.6).
9.3.3 Forest plantation: Area of trees with species of forestry and its importance raised on notified
forest lands. These are artificially planted areas with tree cover, either in the open spaces or by
clearing the existing forests for economically inferior species. New and young plantations can be
readily separated from contiguous forested areas. The area occupied by this class is about 37.44 Km2
(0.44 %) (Fig.6).
9.3.4 Scrub Forest: Scrub forest is associated with barren rocky/stony waste due to inadequate and
erratic rainfall conditions that brings drought and extreme heat in summer season which preclude
hardly in any profitable forest. On FCC, it appears as dark red to red tone mainly due to rich in
timber trees. They appear as light red to dark brown tone on standard FCC due to canopy covers. The
area covered by this category is 334 Km2
(3.96 %) (Fig.6).
9.4 Wastelands
These are degraded lands which can be brought under vegetative cover with reasonable
effort. These are currently under utilized and deteriorating due to lack of appropriate water & soil
management or on account of natural causes. Wastelands can result from inherent/imposed
disabilities such as locations, environment, chemical and physical properties of the
soil/financial/management constraints (NWDB, 1987; Pushpavathi and Basavarajappa., 2009;
Basavarajappa and Manjunatha., 2014b). The total aerial extent of wasteland covers about 841.65
Km2
(9.98 %) (Fig.5).
9.4.1 Barren rocky/Stony Waste: As the area is exposed to the direct action of sun and wind, most
of the area remains barren. These are the lands characterized by exposed massive rocks, sheet rocks,
stony pavements or land with excessive surface, accumulation of stones that render them unsuitable
for production of any green biomass. Such lands are easily discriminated from other categories of
wastelands due to their characteristic spectral response. On FCC, they appears as greenish blue to
yellow to brownish in tone with varying size associated with steep isolated hillocks, hill slopes and
eroded plains. They occur as a linear form within the plain land mainly due to varying lithology
(Basavarajappa and Manjunatha., 2014b). These types of lands are noticed in Vijapura,
Guddadarangavvana halli, Madakaripura of Chitradurga taluk and few parts of Molakalmuru taluk.
The area occupied by this category is 114.08 Km2
(1.35 %) (Fig.6).
9.4.2 Gullied/Ravenous land: Gullies are narrow and deep channels developed from rills which are
tiny channels of few centimeters deep, formed by the impact of rainfall and weaving action of runoff
occurs more commonly on sloping land. These areas are having entrenched drainage system, good
rainfall and surface runoff. On FCC, they appears as light yellow to bluish green depending upon the
surface moisture and depth of erosion with varying size (Basavarajappa and Manjunatha., 2014b;
Basavaraj Hutti and Basavarajapp., 2014). This type of land is observed in Arehallihatti of Holalkere
taluk and Kalkere of Hosadurga taluk. These gullies and ravines contribute to soil erosion and land
degradation covering an area of 22.2 Km2
(0.26 %) (Fig.6).

56
9.4.3 Land with scrub: Scrub lands are observed along the ridges, valley complex, linear ridges and
steep slope areas. Most of these areas are characterized by the presence of thorny scrub, herb species,
many hillocks of steep and domal shaped are associated with poor vegetal cover. As a consequence,
severe soil erosion frequently occurs during rainy seasons and later most of the hill tops become
barren/ rocky. These lands are observed in few parts of Molakalmuru and Chitradurga, and most part
of Hiriyur, Hosadurga and Challakere taluks. This category covers an aerial extent of 581.32 Km2
(6.89 %) (Fig.6).
9.4.4 Land without scrub: Land under this class is generally prone to degradation/deterioration and
may not have scrub cover. It is confined to (relatively) higher topography such as uplands or high
grounds etc excluding the hills and mountainous terrain. On FCC, they appear as light yellow to
brown to greenish blue, varying in size associated with gentle relief with moderate slope in plain and
foothills surrounded by agricultural lands. This covers an aerial extent of 25.53 Km2
(0.3 %) (Fig.6).
9.4.5 Mining/Industrial area: These are the lands with large-scale mining operations, mine dumps
and discharge of large scale industrial effluents causing land degradation. The features exhibit dark
gray (coal mining areas) to light bluish to black (iron ore waste) tone on standard FCC based on the
color of the mine dump, small to medium in size, irregular in shape with mottled texture, located at
or near active mining areas and industrial complexes. Conspicuously around urban areas and other
areas where industrial activity is prominent. This type of lands are observed in Megalahalli,
Beemasamudra, Hanumanahalli, Sannakittadahalli, Ingaldhal, Halekal, Hosahatti and Bahadurghatta
area of the study area.This category covers an area of 2.36 Km2
(0.02 %) (Fig.6).
9.4.6 Salt-affected area: The areas are delineated based on white to light blue tone and its situation.
These are found in river plains and in association with irrigated lands. These areas are adversely
effecting the growth of most of the plants due to the action or presence of excess soluble or high
exchangeable sodium. These lands are noticed in few parts of Molakalmuru taluk, Hosahalli, Talaku,
Balenahalli, Kammathmarikunte, Challakere, Purlehalli, Parasurampura, ThimmannanaikanaKote,
Gollahalli, Hariyabbi, Ajjikamasagara, Turuvanur, Chikkgondanhalli and Panjaiahnahatti of the
study area. The area occupied by this category is 96.41 Km2
(1.14 %) (Fig.6).

57
Table.5. Level-3 land use/land cover classification
Sl No. Level-3 Area (Km2
) Percentage (%)
1. Kharif + Rabi (Double crop) 774.4670 13.57
2. Kharif crop 4269.5836 74.82
3. Rabi crop 661.9759 11.60
Total 5706.0265 99.99
9.5 Water bodies
This class comprises areas of surface water, either impounded in the form of ponds, lakes and
reservoirs or flowing as streams, rivers, canals, etc. These are clearly observed on standard FCC in
different shades of blackish blue to light blue color depending on the depth of water bodies. The area
occupied by this category is 384.91 Km2
(4.56 %) (Fig.5).
9.5.1 River/streams/lakes/ponds: The Natural course of water flowing openly on the land surface
along a definite channel. Vedavathi River basin covers maximum areas in the district and is tributary
of Tungabhadra River. The length of the Vedavathi river measures 208 Km. The other rivers in the
taluk noticed are the Doddahalla (Peddavanka), Janagahalli, Chikhagari, Swarnamukhi, Garain and
Nayakanahalli halla. About 162 major tanks, 135 minor tanks, 5,643 tube-wells and 3 reservoirs
have been reported from the District (CGWB, 2012). These cover an area of 292.52 Km2
(3.46%)
(Fig.6).
9.5.2 Reservoir: A reservoir is the artificial lake created by construction of a dam across the river
specifically for the generation of hydro-electric power, irrigation, water supply for
domestic/industrial uses and flood control. The introduction of a huge reservoir would be disturbing
the delicate balance between soil, water and plants through rise in groundwater table (water-logging)
(Piyoosh Rautela, 2002). The well noticed reservoirs are Vanivilas Sagar reservoir, Gayatri reservoir,
Rangayanadurga reservoir and Narayanapura anicut. Vanivilas Sagar reservoir is one of the
reservoirs built across the Vedavathi River at Vanivilaspura in Hiriyur taluk. Gayathri reservoir is
built across the river Suvarnamukhi near Javagondanahalli village; while Narayanapura dam is built
near Ramanahalli of Hiriyur taluk providing water majorly for irrigation. Rangayanadurga Reservoir
is built in between Challakere and Rayadurg taluk. These categories cover an area of 90.76 Km2
(1.07 %) (Fig.6).
9.5.3 River Island: These are the landmass or fluvial landform observed within a river after decrease
in water level especially during summer seasons covering an area of 1.63 Km2
(0.01%) (Fig.6).

58
8. RESULTS & DISCUSSION
LU/LC exposes considerable influence on the various hydrological aspects such as
interception, infiltration, catchment area, evaporation and surface flow (Sreenivasalu and Vijay
Kumar., 2000; Kumar et al., 1999). LU/LC provides a better understanding on the cropping pattern
and spatial distribution of fallow lands, forests, wastelands and surface water bodies, which is vital
for developmental planning (Philip and Gupta, 1990).According to Karnataka State Forest
Department, the district is endowed with 25 State forest with an area of 741.18 Km2 (8.79%)
(Dinakar and Basavarajappa., 2005; Basavarajappa and Manjunatha., 2014b; Basavarajappa et al.,
2014c). The impact of land use and land cover over the surface and sub-surface hydrologic condition
is observed to be remarkably high on agricultural practices. Change in land use is mainly due to the
hydrological factors (Saraf and Choudhary., 1998).
9. CONCLUSIONS
The land use/land cover classification analysis of 1:50,000 scale is divided into Level-1: 6
classes; Level-2: 20 classes and Level-3: 3 classes are carried out based on environmental and socio-
economic concerns. Level-3 classification has been carried out in detail on agricultural and forest
lands to study the cropping pattern. More accurate classification is observed in case of digital
technique as compared to that of visual technique in terms of area statistics. The satellite data of two
seasons is acquired (Rabi in Dec-2005 and Kharif in Oct-2006) to estimate the spatial distribution
and temporal variability of different LU/LC pattern based on the standard schemes developed by
NRSA using geomatics technique. Kharif crops are dependent mainly of rainfall and occupy the
maximum areal extent of 4269.58 Km2
(74.82%) that indirectly reflect that groundwater dependent
crops are less. Double crops are noticed adjacent to the perennial rivers which provide well
developed canal system for irrigation purpose. Vedavathi River along with others streams such as
Doddahalla (Peddavanka), Janaga halla, Chikhagari halla, Swarnamukhi, Garain halla and
Nayakanahalli halla drain most parts of the district. The area occupied by built-up land is 94.22 Km2
(1.11%) and further increase in population can negatively impacts on biodiversity and also disturbs
natural land cover, increase in soil erosion into streams and lakes. Changes in land surface conditions
can affect the volume, timings and quality of run-off water. Prosopis juliflora is capable of growing
in problematic salt affected soils and can significantly decreases pH, EC, Ca, Mg, K, CO3, HCO3,
SO4 and Cl which covers an area of 42.12 Km2
(0.49%) in the study area. Reclamation of wastelands
are the important task in agricultural point of view. Geomatics application provide wide range of
digital databank information in a synoptic, spatial and temporal manner for mapping and monitoring
of land use/land cover in most time and cost effective manner.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are indepthly acknowledged Prof. S. Govindaiah, Chairman, DoS in Earth
Science, CAS in Precambrian Geology, Manasagangothri, University of Mysore, Mysore; Zilla
Panchayath, Chitradurga and UGC-MRP no.42-73(SR)/2012-13, dt: 12.03.2012, New Delhi for
financial support.

59
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GEOMATICS ANALYSIS ON LAND USE LAND COVER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM IN PRECAMBRIAN TERRAIN OF CHITRADURGA DISTRICT KARNATAKA, INDIA

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