Environmental Change Analysis Using Remote Sensing and GIS: A Study of Upper Baitarani Basin, Odisha

Abstract

Environmental change is directly associated with LU/LC changes and changes in vegetative cover. Therefore, Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems are commonly used for obtaining this kind of information. The present study focuses on the detection of environmental change in the upper Baitarani basin which is located in the Keonjhar district of Odisha state. In this study, LU/LC and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) are studied between 2000 and 2020 based on a Survey of India’s Topographic Map and temporal changes gathered from the Landsat 5 and 8 data and Sentinel 2 data. The study explores that the land under water bodies, agricultural activities, and irrigation reduces considerably due to mining activities and urbanization. On the other hand, the area under vegetative cover increased from 2010 to 2020 due to afforestation. Healthy vegetation accounts for minimum NDVI value. Therefore likewise the vegetative cover, and reclamation of water bodies is necessary to take necessary measures through local community participation. The experimental result indicates that over the specified period of study, the rate of increment and decrement in the urban built-up area, area of water bodies, vegetative cover, agricultural land, and other lands may have a significant impact on environmental sustainability.