Land use/land cover changes near HAzira Region, Gujarat using remote sensing satellite data

Abstract

Human activities have great influence on fragile coastal ecosystem. For sustainable use of coastal resources it is very important to understand land use/land cover changes and its implications on coastal systems. Remote sensing data because of its synoptic, multispectral and multi temporal nature can be a very good source for mapping, monitoring and understanding these changes. IRS LISS III sensor data were used to find out the rate of land use/land cover changes in Hazira area near Surat, Gujarat. Because of major industrial activities it has become a hot spot area which requires regular monitoring. In the present study, land cover information of the period 1970–1972 from the Survey of India topographical maps, and satellite data of the year 1989 and 1999–2002 have been used and visual analysis has been carried out to measure the land use/land cover changes. Erosion and deposition has been observed around the newly constructed jetty. Forest area and agriculture area is found to decreased, whereas built-up area has increased.