EXPLORING THE SPATIO-TEMPORAL VARIATION OF LAND USE AND LAND COVER IN HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA, UTILIZING GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

 Human-induced disturbances like altered land use and contamination of air, water, and soil, along with the loss of productive areas, are increasingly threatening ecosystem health on local, regional and global levels. Changes in land use and cover are among the main drivers of ecosystem degradation. Observing Earth from space is crucial for understanding how human activities have impacted natural resources over time. Satellite data provide unbiased information on land use, especially in rapidly changing and undocumented areas. This study is an attempt to analyse the land use land cover in Himachal Pradesh. The study taken the time span of 2010 to 2020 time period. In order to understand the land use land cover dynamics, study prepared the map of LULC of himachal Pradesh in 2010, 2015 and 2020. The This research utilizes Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing techniques to analyse the transformations that occurred during this period. Changes in Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) in the Himachal Pradesh, India, have been significant over time. The study discovers that population growth led to the expansion of built-up area hence reduction in the forest cover as well as in the other categories in Himachal Pradesh. Central parts of the state show significant changes in land use land cover from 2010 to 2020. A remarkable shift occurs in the central part from forest area to build up area and agriculture land. Recommendations for sustainable land management practices and legislative adjustments to mitigate adverse impacts are provided in the study.