Satellite Image-based Land Use/Land Cover Dynamics and Forest Cover Change Analysis (1996-2016) in Odisha,India

Land use/land cover change dealing with the alteration of the land surface and its biotic cover is an important aspect of human-induced global environmental change. The purpose of this study is to monitor long-term changes in LU/LC in Odisha with special emphasis to the forest cover change. LU/LC maps prepared through visual interpretation, indicated a decreasing pattern in percentage forest cover area (40.0%-1996, 39.0%-2006, 37.7%-2016). Conversely, significant increase in built-up area (0.3% in 1996, 0.5% in 2006 and 0.6% in 2016) have been observed. Forest cover maps derived through NDVI thresholding revealed a fluctuating trend of change in dense forest (23%-1996, 24%-2006 and 21%-2016) and increasing trend of moderate vegetation (32%-1996, 34%-2006 and 36%-2016). Vegetation cover change detection through post-classification comparison between NDVI classified images exhibited that 11,543 km² and 2662 km² under dense forest cover area had been converted to moderate and sparse vegetation cover in 2006 from 1996. Likewise, 10,635 km² and 2744 km² of dense forest cover area had been converted to moderate vegetation and sparse vegetation cover respectively from 2006 to 2016. Rapid urbanization in Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack was one of the reasons for the change in surrounding land covers and eco-sensitive areas. On the other hand, 10,857 km² and 1960 km² area which was under moderate and sparse vegetation cover respectively in 1996 had been converted to dense vegetation cover in 2006. Similarly, conversion (12,738 km² area of moderate and 4401 km² area sparse vegetation cover into dense vegetation) took place from 2006 to 2016. On a positive note, it can be remarked that implementation of plantations, afforestation programmes were found to be useful in saving the forest in Odisha.