LU/LC Change Detection and Forest Degradation Analysis in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary Using 3S Technology: A Case Study in Jamshedpur-India

Abstract

Geo-informatics technology has dynamic role in mapping, monitoring and management of forest resources. The transformation of forest cover and its analysis on the earth’s surface are essential for understanding the associations and interactions between natural phenomena and living organism, especially human. Also deforestation is a major reason for global warming and one of the origin keys for the enhancement of greenhouse effect and climate change. The present study is grounded on the 3S technology in assessment of LU/LC changes within the forest cover area in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary (DWLS) Jamshedpur-Jharkhand, India. The movement of forest-cover variation over the years 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016 is precisely studied using high resolution Satellite Data (SD). It is noted that, due to shifting cultivation, forest fire, and conversion of forest cover into crop land/bare land and settlement encroachments in forest region by villagers are rapidly increasing; as a result deforestation is taking place. It is predicted that the study would demonstrate the effectiveness of 3S technology in forest renovation, planning and management