Change Detection Analysis of Talcher Coalfields using Remote Sensing: The evolution of coal mining in Orissa

The present study focuses on the use of Remote Sensing and GIS as a tool for change detection and land use analysis at Talcher region, Odisha. The region is well known for huge coal mining. Talcher coalfield is one of the major coal producers of the country, and contributes nearly 16.3% of the country’s total reserve. The land cover changes in Talcher area has been analysed for the three decades using LANDSAT MSS and LANDSAT TM imagery. Along with land use and land cover maps, NDVI maps of the area for the given time period have been created. The results of the study show a massive paradigm shift in the environment of Talcher coalfields.

Sourav Choudhury completed his B-Tech(Hons) from NIT Rourkela in Mining discipline in the year 2012. He has visited a number of coal and metal mines both opencast and underground during his career and is now serving as a mining engineer at Coal India Limited, one of worlds largest coal mining company.