Evaluating Dynamics of Land Use and Land Cover Changes in the Coastal Regions of the IB-Watershed of the Mahanadi River using Multi-Temporal Landsat-8 Data

Abstract

This study analyzes IB watershed land use changes from 1991 to 2021 using Landsat-8 datasets. Supervised classification techniques are employed to assess alterations in various land use and land cover categories. Results reveal reduced cropland due to urban expansion and increased barren land, signaling widespread degradation. Statistical analysis links these changes to urbanization, population growth, and agriculture. The study involves satellite image preprocessing, maximum likelihood classification, and change detection analysis. The insights generated from this investigation emphasize the pressing need for sustainable land management practices to mitigate further degradation within the IB watershed. These findings hold substantial implications for policymakers and land management authorities, providing crucial guidance for formulating effective conservation strategies and optimizing land resource management strategies within the region.