Analysing topographical changes in open cast coal-mining region of Patratu, Jharkhand using CARTOSAT-I Stereopair satellite images

摘要

This study provides an assessment of changes in the terrain topography due to opencast coal mining in the Patratu region of Jharkhand state during the period of 1962–2007. It demonstrated the potential of digital elevation model (DEM) differencing technique using Cartosat-I satellite (2007) derived DEM with reference to DEM derived from contours obtained from Survey of India topographical map (1962). The topographical changes through DEM differencing revealed positive relief changes (up to 49 m) due to coal-mining overburden dumps. The dumping of overburden near the banks of perennial Damodar River also caused positive topographic changes (up to 20 m) indicating adverse effects on its hydrological regime. Negative relief changes are represents by deep depressions (up to 66 m) created within coal mines due to the extraction of coal. These depression areas within the abundant mines generally become the zones of water accumulation causing wastage of surface and ground water resources.