Chapter 13 - Quantifying forest cover changes in Koraput district, India using remote sensing and GIS

Abstract

Forest ecosystem is vital for the existence of human beings. Since ages we are depending on forest for food, fiber, fodder, fuel wood, and shelter. Apart from humans, it is home to various other animals, birds, and microbes. It covers nearly one-third of the global land area. However, this natural ecosystem is under threat since ages. The Koraput district, Odisha, India popularly known as the land of aboriginals is one of the biodiversity rich regions. Over time the district has seen large scale deforestation. In this study an attempt has been made to know the changes in forest cover in Koraput district, Odisha, India during last eight decades using remote sensing and Geographical Information System. The classification accuracy to identify forest lands for the years 1973, 1990, 2004, and 2013 was 72%, 85%, 91%, and 93%, respectively. The analysis of the Survey of India (SoI) topographic sheet reveals that there was decease in reserve forest cover by 0.6%, while 22.51% in mixed forest cover during the period 1932–2008. Similarly the analysis of satellite images showed decrease in dense forest cover by 11.6%, 17.7%, and 19.3% during the years 1990, 2004, and 2013, respectively, in comparison to reference year 1973. The agricultural expansion due to the creation of irrigation facilities through construction of reservoirs, shifting cultivation, and poor employment opportunities are some of the reasons behind the deforestation in the study area. Creation of diversified land-based and other livelihood activities with proper marketing linkage, awareness among the local people about the impact of deforestation on the ecosystem, and the convergence of both government and nongovernment schemes can help with restoration of forest resources in the study area.