Abstract
Abstract. Land use is a dynamic phenomenon, changing with time and space. Land use/land cover (LULC) information and its periodic changes has become crucial to carry out the prediction to the dynamical change of land use. This study analyzed the spatial and temporal changes in land use that has taken place in Nagaland over the last 10 years (2005–2016). It has been observed that the dynamic change in land use and land cover has been mainly caused by the traditional practice of jhum cultivation, also known as shifting cultivation in Nagaland, which constitute about 81% of the total agricultural land. As a result, there is a decline in forest area by 593.87 km2 (5.66%) from 2005–2006 to 2015–2016. Concurrently, abandoned jhum land and scrubland has increased by 11.72% and 24.89%, demonstrating the decreased in jhum/ shifting cultivation cycle. The loss of forest in the last decade was attributed to ever increasing population, putting pressure on demand of jhum/ shifting cultivation and other anthropogenic activities. The degradation of forest is ever increasing, which calls for intervention of appropriate technology and holistic approach to address this issue.
Highlights
Land use/ land cover change is a key driver of global environmental change since it occurs at spatial and temporal scales
The aim of the present study is to evaluate the magnitude of landuse change and recognize factors and processes that determine land use change in Nagaland and attempt to provide baseline information required for planning and evaluation
The period between 2005-2006 to 2015-2016, there is an increase in built up area by 26.19 km2 which is 7.61%, agricultural land is increased by 48.85 km2. i.e. 8%, scrubland increased by 526.83 km2 which is 24.89% and shifting cultivation-abandoned by 194.53 km2, which is increase by 11.72%, whereas forest area has decreased by an area of 593.87 km2 i.e. by 5.63%, grass land by 5.63 km2, and shifting cultivation-current by 196.36 km2 which is reduced by 17.07%
Summary
Land use/ land cover change is a key driver of global environmental change since it occurs at spatial and temporal scales. Information on existing LULC, its spatial distribution and change are necessary requirement for any planning (Jaiswal et al, 1999). To have originated in the Neolithic period around 7000 BC (Borthakur, 1982). It is viewed the jhum cultivation as an exploitative system, where the land and its resources are not managed optimally and is taken to be a major cause of deforestation. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the magnitude of landuse change and recognize factors and processes that determine land use change in Nagaland and attempt to provide baseline information required for planning and evaluation
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