Desert Atlas

DESERTIFICATION &
LAND DEGRADATION
ATLAS OF INDIA
Space Applications Centre,

Indian Space Research Organisation
Government Of India
Ahmedabad
DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA
2007
PRODIPTO GHOSH, Ph.D.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS
Secretary
FOREWARD
Desertification is one of the major environmental concerns of
today, affecting the living conditions of hundreds of millions of people
across the world. This phenomenon is not confined to the desert areas or
to the arid region alone. In case of India, for example, it relates to land
degradation in the dry land regions, which constitute about 69% of its
geographic area.
The principal objective of the United Nations Convention to
Combat Desertification (UNCCD), adopted on June 17, 1994, is to
combat desertification in the dry land regions of the world and mitigate
the effects of drought. The Convention has special significance to the
Asia-Pacific region, which has sizeable proportion of drylands
undergoing degradation. The Regional Action Programme for the AsiaPacific region, therefore, identified a comprehensive set of issue
classified in six Thematic Programme Networks (TPNs). Out of these,
TPN-1, relating to desertification monitoring and assessment, has two
primary mandates. first, to establish a national network on this issue. And
second, to organize desertification status mapping (DSM). The National
Network on TPN-1 has been established in the country, with Space
Application Centre (ISRO) as the focal organisation with 17 supporting
institutions, including AISLUS, NBSS&LUP, CAZRI, NATMO, IMD,
MoFF, JNU, IRS-Anna University, University of Rajasthan, University of
Jammu, NRSA, EOS (ISRO), MPRSAC, CRIDA, HARSAC, DEARS
(J&K) and RRSC-Jodhpur.
Spatial inventory of land degradation/desertification based on

scientific methods is not available for our country. Towards this, Space
Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO had taken up a pilot project to
standardize a national level classification system and the methodology
for DSM using satellite data. Adopting the classification system and the
methodology, standardized through the pilot project, SAC has prepared
the desertification/land degradation map for the entire country using
recent Indian Remote Satellite data. As per this inventory, 105.48 mha
land of our country is under the process of degradation.
This present atlas on desertification/land degradation status will
serve as a base for any further monitoring and assessment of
desertification in the country. I appreciate the efforts made by the
national team led by Dr. Ajai in carrying out his important endeavour.
PRODIPTO GHOSH
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PARYAVARAN BHAWAN, C.G.O. COMPLEX, LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI - 110 003. TEL : 24360721, 24361896. FAX : (011) 24362746
email : prodipto_ghosh@nic.in
SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF SPACE
Antariksh Bhvan, New BEL Road
Bangalore - 560 094, India
Grams : Space Fax : +91-80-23415328
Telephone : +91-80-23415241, 22172333
email : chairman@isro.org
G. Madhavan Nair
Secretary
PREFACE
India is endowed with a variety of soils, climate, bio-diversity and
ecological regions. About 69 percent of the geographical area falls in the
dry lands (arid, semi-arid and dry sub- humid) as per Thornthwaite
classification. The geo-hydro-thermo folio of India makes large parts of
the country vulnerable to water and wind erosion, salinization and water
logging, mass wasting, frost heaving, etc. Vulnerability of the land to
different forms of degradation is accentuated by high biotic pressure human and livestock population - resulting in unsustainable land use. A
large part of our country's land is undergoing the process of degradation
or desertification. There is an urgent need to arrest the process of
desertification and combat land degradation.
The national level classification system as well as the

methodology for 'Desertification Status Mapping' (DSM) using satellite
data, as evolved and standardized through a pilot project (carried out by
Space Applications Centre, ISRO at the behest of MoEF), has been
adopted for the national DSM.
This is for the first time, the
desertification/ land degradation status map of entire country has been
prepared. As per the present inventory, 105.48 mha i.e., 32 percent of the
geographic area of the country is under going the process of land
degradation. The task has been accomplished due to the untiring efforts
of the national team comprising of organizations like, AISLUS, NBSS &
LUP, CAZRI, JNU, IRS-Anna University, University of Rajasthan,
University of Jammu, EOS (ISRO Hq), State Remote Sensing Centres of
U.P., Bihar, Orissa, Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, M.P., J&K and
SAC, led by Dr. Ajai from SAC. This team deserves compliments for
carrying out this important national endeavour.
India has been the signatory to the United Nations Convention to

Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which has been adopted on June 17,
1994. One of the prerequisite for combating desertification is to identify
area undergoing the process of desertification. However, spatial
inventory of land degradation/ desertification based on sound scientific
methods are not available for our country. Keeping in view this
requirement and also to fulfill the commitment of TPN-1 (Thematic
Programme Network on desertification monitoring and assessment
under UNCCD) implementation in the country, ISRO has taken up the
task of preparation of Land degradation/ Desertification Status Maps for
the entire country on 1:0.5 million scale.
I hope, the present atlas on desertification/ land degradation will

further facilitate the planners in developing appropriate programmes for
combating desertification/ land degradation in the country.
Bangalore
March 12 , 2007
ii
(G. Madhavan Nair)

Government of India
Department of Space
SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE

Ambavadi Vistar P.O.
Ahmedabad-380 015 (India)
Telephone : +91-79-26912000, 26915000
Tel : 079-26764956,
Fax :079-26915843
PREAMBLE
The project has been successfully executed by SAC along with 17
important organizations of the country.
Land degradation and desertification pose an ever - increasing

global environmental threat. Human activities such as over cultivation,
overgrazing, deforestation and poor irrigation practices, along with climate
change, are turning once fertile land into unproductive degraded land. Per
capita land availability is shrinking throughout the world, threatening food
security, particularly in poor rural areas, and triggering social and economic
crisis.
As per this inventory 105.48 mha land of the country is undergoing

the processes of degradation. The efforts made in this national endeavor
will go a long way in combating desertification in the country as well as
fulfilling our commitments towards implementation of UNCCD.
A large portion of our country's land is undergoing process of

degradation/ desertification. As per a recent inventory based on IRS-LISS
III data, carried out by NRSA indicates that 17.45% of the geographic
(55.269 mha) area is under wasteland category. However the land which is
undergoing the process of degradation/ desertification is much more.
There have been varying figures for the area under land
degradation/desertification in the country as estimated by different
agencies. Therefore a need was felt to create a spatial inventory of land
degradation/desertification in the country. A project was taken up by the
Space ApplicationsCentre (ISRO) for mapping the desertification/ land
degradation status in the country on 1:0.5 m scale using IRS AWiFS data.
Ahmedabad
February 13, 2007
iii
Government of India
Department of Space
SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE

Ambavadi Vistar P.O.
Ahmedabad-380 015 (India)
Telephone : +91-79-26914133
Fax : +91-79-26915825
Dr. Ajai
National Co-ordinator, TPN-1,
& Group Director, MESG
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Spatial Inventory on desertification/land degradation status, a
prerequisite for preparation of combating plan, has not been available for our
country. More ever, it has also been one of the major requirement towards
fulfilling our commitment to TPN-1 UNCCD. The task of desertification/land
degradation status mapping was taken up by Space Applications Centre (SAC),
ISRO, Ahmedabad in collaboration with 17 important organizations/ institutions
of the country. It is the team effort which has led to the successful completion of
this important national endeavor. I am very much thankful to each and every
individuals and the organizations involved in the national team.
The project team express its sincere thanks to Shri G. Madhavan Nair,
Secretary, DOS and Dr. Prodipto Ghosh, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and
Forests, Govt. of India for their keen interest in this project.
We are very much thankful to Dr. R.R. Navalgund, Director, Space
Applications Centre, Ahmedabad for his encouragement and guidance in
carryng out this project. We are thankful to Dr. Ram Rattan, Associate Director,
SAC & Dr.K.L. Majumder, the then Dy. Director, RESIPA, SAC, Dr. V. Jayaraman,
Director, EOS and Dr. V.S. Hegde, Deputy Director (Applications), EOS, ISRO
Headquarters, Bangalore for their support and guidance. Thanks are also due to
the Shri J.S. Parihar, Mission Director, EOAM for necessary support.
We express our gratitude to Dr. Sanjay Kumar, DIG Forests and Shri B.
C.Behra, Under Secretary, MoEF, Govt. of India for all necessary help and
support during the tenure of this project.
We are also thankful to Mr. Rui Zheng, Head of Asian Unit, UNCCD,
Bonn for providing all necessary information & support from time to time.
We express our thanks to heads of the organizations/Directors of the
collaborating agencies for providing all desired help and support to the project.
Last but not the least, we are thankful to Mr. Rahul Tirpude and Mrs.
Jyotsna Naidu, FLPG office for their secretarial assistance.
iv
PROJECT TEAM
National Co-ordinator : Dr. Ajai
CONTENTS
Introduction
Data Used
Classification System
Participating Agencies
Processes of Desertification / Land Degradation
Methodology
15
Desertification & Land degradation status
16
Statewise Maps & Tables
20
References
74
vi
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES:
and academic
17
Earth Observation System, ISRO, Banglore
Severity - Low
Severity - High
Low
High
High
High
Low
High
10
11
High
Low
12
13

Barren / Rocky Area
Barren / rocky area as seen on the satellite images and in the field are shown in fig.10
14
15

DESERTIFICATION LAND DEGRADATION STATUS
Table-3 Process wise distribution of the area under

land-degradation for India.
in subsequent
16

DESERTIFICATION/ LAND DEGRADATION STATUS MAP OF INDIA
N
Fv1,2
Gv2
Sv1,2
Dw1,2
Iw1
Fw1,2
Sw1,2
Bw1,2
Rw1,2
Ew1
Lw1
De1,2
Ie1,2
Se1
Be1
Ee1,2
Ds1,2
Is1,2
Ss1,2
Bs1,2
Dl1
Il1,2
Bl1,2
Bg1,2
Ch2
Lf1,2
Fm2
Bm1,2
Tm1,2
NAD
DELHI
Kolkata
Mumbai
Total area under :105.48 mha ( 32.07 % )

Land degradation
Total area under : 81.45 mha (24.78 %)
Desertification
Chennai
Lakshdweep Islands
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Forest /Plantation, Vegetal degradation

Grassland/Grazing land, Vegetal degradation
Land with Scrub,Vegetal degradation
Agriculture Unirrigated,Water erosion
Agriculture Irrigated, Water erosion
Forest /Plantation,Water erosion
Land with Scrub,Water erosion
Barren, Water erosion
Rocky area, Water erosion
Dune/Sandy area, Water erosion
Periglacial , Water erosion
Agriculture Unirrigated, Wind erosion
Agriculture Irrigated Wind erosion
Land with Scrub,Wind erosion
Barren, Wind erosion
Dune/Sandy area, Wind erosion
Agriculture Unirrigated, Salinization/Alkanization
Agriculture Irrigated Salinization/Alakanization
Land with Scrub,Salinization/ Alkanization
Barren, Salinization/Alakanization
Agriculture Unirrigated,Water logging
Agriculture Irrigated , Water logging
Barren, Water logging
Barren, Mass movement
Glacial , Frost heaving
Periglacial, Frost shattering
Forest /Plantation,Man made
Barren, Man made
Others, Man made
No Apparent Degradation
1 = Low 2 = High
Classification System
Land use/Land cover
Symbol Code
Description
I
D
F/P
G
S
B
R
E
W
C
L
T
Bangalore
Legend
Description
Code
Symbol
Agriculture Irrigated
Agriculture Unirrigated
Forest /Plantation
Grassland/Grazing land
Land with Scrub
Barren (Barren Scree)
Rockey area
Dune/Sandy area
Water body/Drainage
Glacial
Periglacial
Others
International Boundery
State Boundery
River / Stream
Settlement
Process of degradation
Symbol Code
Source :
Prepared by :
&
Area not taken for mapping
Figure 12: DESERTIFICATION/ LAND DEGRADATION STATUS MAP OF INDIA

17
Severity
Description
Code Description
1
Low
Vegetal degradation
v
w
2
High
Water erosion
e
Wind erosion
s/a Salinization/Alakanization
i
Water logging
g
Mass movement
h
Frost heaving
f
Frost shattering
m Man made
NAD No Apparent Degradation
1235
16399
11909
18
Degradation within the Dryland regions is called `Desertification'. The map showing dryland regions of India (Source:
NBSS&LUP) is given in fig. 13. The process wise status of land degradation within Arid (34.89 mha), Semi-arid (31.99 mha)
and dry-sub humid (14.57 mha) regions is given in table-5 . 81.45 mha area of the country is under desertification (land
degradation within drylands).
Table-5 : Process-wise area (mha) under desertification
2
LEGEND
ARID
2
3
SEMI-ARID
19
SUB-HUMID(DRY)
OTHER
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Rocky Area Water Erosion-1-low (RW1)
Sandy area-Wind erosion-1-low (Ee1)
28
29
30
31
32
33
1925682
34
Water erosion
35
36
37
38
39
Agriculture Irrigated water erosion-low (Iw1)
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
DESERTIFICATION/ LAND DEGRADATION STATUS MAP

MIZORAM
55
56
57
58

ORISSA
59
60
61
62

SIKKIM
63
64
65
66

TRIPURA
67
68

UTTARAKHAND
69
70
71
72

WEST BENGAL
73
74

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DESERTIFICATION &

Space Applications Centre,

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

PRODIPTO GHOSH, Ph.D.

Spatial inventory of land degradation/desertification based on

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

The national level classification system as well as the

India has been the signatory to the United Nations Convention to

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

I hope, the present atlas on desertification/ land degradation will

(G. Madhavan Nair)

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE

Land degradation and desertification pose an ever - increasing

As per this inventory 105.48 mha land of the country is undergoing

A large portion of our country's land is undergoing process of

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

Processes of Desertification / Land Degradation

Desertification & Land degradation status

Statewise Maps & Tables

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

Earth Observation System, ISRO, Banglore

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA

Table-3 Process wise distribution of the area under

SPACE APPLICATIONS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

DESERTIFICATION & LAND DEGRADATION ATLAS OF INDIA