Remote sensing technology has received wide acceptability in mapping of natural resources. The added advantages provided by remote sensing include synoptic' viewing of earth and various features in it, repetitive coverage for temporal analysis and nearly unbiased permanent record of the features for further verification. In the present study the delineation of the boundaries of the proposed protected areas' have been largely done on the basis' of the interpreted satellite data. Similarly, the length, breadth and quality of habitat in the corridors between different forest patches for inclusion in the PPAs has been assessed using remotely sensed data. Geographic Information System (GIS) has helped in the integration of the spatial data prepared through remote sensing technology and from other sources with the non-spatial data collected from point/field observations.

The mitigation of the adverse impacts of the Narmada Sagar and Omkareshwar' projects is being attempted by declaring certain forest tracts as wildlife protected areas. A total area of 758.88 km2 has been proposed for declaration as National Park and Sanctuaries. Narmada National Park, Omkareshwar and Surmanya Sanctuaries have areas 475.22 km2, 119.96 km2 and 163.70 km2 respectively. Thirteen plant community associations have been identified through remote sensing technology and ground work. Teak forests cover about 29.39% of the total area followed by Teak mixed (19.59%), Teak-Hardwickia (13.83%) and Hardwickia mixed (12.20%). The PPAs have about 68.95% of the total area with more than 40% canopy cover, of which 43.11% is with more than 60% and 25,84% is with 40-60%' of canopy cover.

Remote sensing technology has provided information about the land use pattern, which is much essential for planning, utilization and management of land resources. Land use mapping of the PPAs indicates that the maximum land cover (91.5%) is under forest. Agriculture area including habitation is 2.41 %. The soils in the agriculture areas are very productive and these areas may be developed into grasslands. The PPAs also have Hardwickia binata, a species of great interest and which has a disjunct distribution in the area. This species provides highly palatable foliage and is lopped heavily for fodder. This species occurs in pure patches and also mixed with other species.

Geomorphologically, the Vindhyan plateaux are complex and consist of residual hills of Vindhyan, which have nearly horizontal beds of sandstones and quartzites. On the basis of location, erosion, shape and slope, represented by discrete tone and texture on satellite data, 14 landform units have been delineated. The PPAs are dominated by low dissected hills covering an area of 448.46 km2. These low dissected hills have almost all kinds of plant associations. The proposed Omkareshwar sanctuary has low and moderately dissected hills in almost equal proportions. Plateaux are either vegetated or almost barren. Flat tops have scrub vegetation with species like Holarrhena pubescence, Cassia tora, Oscimum americanum and stunted teak trees. Rocky outcrops and boulders are characteristic features of these plateaux. Highly dissected hills in the Omkareshwar sanctuary have Acacia catechu, Lagerstroemia parviflora and Boswellia serrata associations. Strike ridges have either scrub or very low density forest cover. Vegetated dip slopes have good quality teak cover and teak mixed associations, which indicates good soil and moisture conditions. Inter montane valleys are shallow and round and have better soil moisture conditions., Teak mixed and Hardwickia mixed are main plant associations occurring in the intermontane valley. In some places agriculture is also practised. Scarp slopes are almost barren with rock outcrops or with scrub. Pediment zone have agriculture areas. Structural valleys again support riparian type plant association. Hills are vertically cut and valleys are narrow. Hardwickia mixed with other species like bamboo, teak also occur in these zones. Vegetated plateaux support Boswellia serrata, mixed with Tectona grandis and Lagerstroemia parviflora.

It may be concluded that the PPAs have very varied plant associations in different geomorphological formations (landforms). PPAs have good Teak and, Hardwickia forests. Hardwickia binata would receive high protection from biotic threats in the PPAs. The area of PPAs is sufficiently large and would help in conserving the biodiversity. Remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) have helped in arriving at the correct, complete and up-to-date information about the biological and physical resources of the PPAs. This study has demonstrated the usefulness of Remote sensing technology used in conjunction with the GIS in plannin9 .of protected area network and for preparation of resource inventory maps of the physical and biological attributes. The spatial database of the PPAs developed through this study would provide a valuable input in the preparation of resource management plans of these areas.