Journal of Global Resources

Volume 3

July 2016
Page 158-170
ISSN: 2395-3160 (Print), 2455-2445 (Online)

20
LAND USE LAND COVER CHANGES IN SWETA NADI BASIN, TAMIL NADU, INDIAUSING GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM
S. Priyadharshini
Research Scholar, Department of Geography
Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India
Email:geopriyadharshini@gmail.com
Abstract: This study attempted to expose the impact of changes in land use/land cover of
Sweta Nadi of Vellar basin, from 1977 to 2012 by using Geographical Information System(GIS) and remote sensing technology. These studies were employed by using the remotesensing data of Landsat – 2 (MSS), Landsat – 5 (TM), Landsat – 5 (ETM), IRS 1C Resourcesat-1 LISS III and Resourcesat-2 LISSIII of 1977, 1992, 1999, 2005 and 2012. The
study area was classified up to level II classes and delineation of 16 land use/land covercategories based on NRSA technical guidelines. The LU/LC change maps were also
produced to document the changes of particular land uses over time. Major changes are seenfrom 1999 to 2005 for mainly evergreen forest, gullied/ravenous land and wastelanddecreased. The results show that the land use and land cover changes great influence on
crop land, evergreen forest, fallow agriculture land and wasteland of the basin. The land use
activities in and around Kolli hills and Pachamalai evergreen forest were identified uncontrolled
degradation and exploitation forest has been converted to other land uses for human
livelihoods.
Key words: Land Use, Land Cover, Geographical Information system and Sweta Nadhi Basin
Introduction
A Land use/Land cover is an important component in understanding the interaction of thehuman activities with the environment and thus it is necessary to be able to simulate changes(Lambin et al. 2001). Underlying causes of LULC changes most important to deforestationand land degradation include speedy economic development, population growth and poverty(Giri et al. 2003, Bolland et al., 2007). Geographic Information System (GIS), which has astrong capacity in data integration, analysis and visualization has become an important tool tosupport land use planning approaches (Trung et al., 2006). Forests are the important and mostvaluable ecosystems in the world, containing over 60 per cent of the world’s biodiversity.
These are the true collective treasure that contributes to the social and economic well-being of
our families and communities. Apart from the economic and social value, our forests havehigh environmental value, viz. production of oxygen, holding rain water, enrichment of soil,
checking soil erosion, control of wind and atmospheric temperature (Khanna 2001). Most
valuable ecosystems are now disappearing, which is an undesirable phenomenon. Reasonsfor this loss of forest cover are many and few of them are livestock grazing, conversion offorest land for agriculture, lopping, tree for fodder and firewood withdrawal for local use as well
as for sale in neighboring townships (Chaturvedi 2000; Mishra et al. 2004).
158

Study Area
The Sweta Nadi basin lies in the districts of Namakkal, Salem, Tiruchirappalli and Perambalurof Tamil Nadu State. The Sweta Nadi originates from the northern parts of Kolli hills in
Namakkal District. It is located between 110 15’ N and 110 45’ N latitudes and 780 15’ E and
780 58’ E longitudes (as read from the survey of Indian Topographic sheets 58
I/6,I/7,I/10,I/11,I/14 (Fig.1). The river originates from the northern parts of Kolli hills, a part ofManmalai, adjoining Kolli hills and Palakkadu Malai in Pachamalai. The total geographicalarea of the basin is 1,034.43 Sq.km (1,03,443 ha) within 82 Revenue villages. The study area
is based upon the three major relief orders such as the hills, uplands, and the plains. The river
runs over 116 kms from the west to the east, and joins Vellar river, which runs into the Bay of
Bengal.
Figure 1: Location Map of the Study Area

Material and Methods
Land use, land cover of the study area was mapped based NRSA classification using multi
temporal satellite images. The Land Uses of the study area were brought out from satellite
data of Landsat-2(MSS), Landsat-5(TM), Landsat-5 (ETM) satellite images have been used fordelineating land use and land cover maps of 1977, 1992 and 1999 images were collectedfrom glovis.usgs.gov website or Earth Explorer (These data are also visible and can be159

downloaded using GloVis) and IRS 1C -Resourcesat-1 LISS III, Resourcesat-2 LISSIII images
collected from National Remote Sensing Centre, (bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in), Hyderabad, has been
analysed to get land use and land cover map of 2005 and 2012. The registration anddigitization of the study area were done using ArcGIS 9.3 Software to create land use
coverage. Maximum Likelihood Classification technique is applied by ERDAS Imagine
software for enhanced and accurate result of the study area. The rate of change per year was
calculated by using the following formula (Chebet, C. 2013):
Y

X

Where:
R is the rate of change.
Y is the area in square kilometers of the study area in the final year.
X is the area in square kilometers of the study area in the initial year.
T is the time difference in years.
The study area has been classified up to level II information land use and land cover classes
in level I are built-up land, agricultural land, forests, wastelands and water bodies. Level IIclasses are those of the rural and urban settlements, cropland, agriculture, plantation,
Fallow/agriculture, wasteland with scrub, sandy area, Gullied/ravenous land, barren rocky,
evergreen forest, deciduous forest, scrub forest river and tank. There are 13 Categories wereidentified and mapped.
Objectives of the study
To analyze the nature and extent of Land Use/Land Cover Changes of the study area in thepast 35 years (1977-2012). Detecting the changes that have occurred. Identifying the nature of
the change. Measuring the area extent of the change assessing the spatial pattern of thechange over all study area.
Results and Discussion
Land use and Land cover of 1977
The land use and land cover analysis, agricultural land of the basin are primarily used forfarming activities. The study area has an area of crop land 34564 ha (33.4 %), fallow land or
fallow agriculture 11700 ha (17.1%) and agricultural plantation 981 ha (0.9%) under the
agricultural use. It accounts for 53245 ha (51.5%) in the total geographical area. Based on
the satellite image of 1977, the basin has a lack of potential land for cultivation, and different
types of crops grown under different seasons. The Agricultural activities in the study area,
mainly depends upon the southwest and northeast monsoons. They are affected, mostly by
the drought due to uncertainty of monsoon rains, soil erosion and physiographical conditions.
The crops may be of either kharif (June – September) or rabi (October – March) seasons.
They are double cropped (Rabi and Kharif) areas, mainly under the paddy cultivation crop land
are equally distributed in the basin, except south and southwest portion of the study area.
Because that area occupies the forest land use type. The rain-fed areas, which are seen in theeastern part and the northwestern part of the study area are, due to soil type, topography andabsence of tanks and wells. The Plantation is much less during this period, when comparedwith 1992. The study area has very few but small batches of plantation, seen in the southernparts of Pachamalai, the southwestern parts of Kolli hills (hilly tracts), and only one patch in160

the northern parts near the Gangavalli. It is an area under agricultural tree crops such as
eucalyptus, tamarind, banana, coconut and other mixed plantation. The following forest types
are found in the basin. Evergreen, deciduous forest and scrub forest constitutes about 39.1 %(40489 ha) of the total study area. Especially 28.5 % (29462ha) during this period covers theevergreen forest Pachamalai and Kolli hills reserved forests in the south and southwest part ofthe study area. The northwest part of the study area stretching from Naraikinaru, Paithur toKadampur villages are covered by deciduous forest, which has the distribution of 9.7 % (9983ha). The Wastelands occurred on the uplands and pediment areas, eroded land andinfrequently all over the study area (fig.3a). These lands cover as much as 6128 ha (5.9 %) of
the total of the basin. The Wasteland with scrub can be seen in Vengalam, Vembavur,
Periyavadakarai in the eastern part of the study area, and Kadampur, Kondayampalli,
Naigampatti and some small patches seen in the southwestern part of the study area. The
Barren rocks could be seen only in village names is Kondayampalli, which is located in thewestern parts of the study area. During this period, the ravenous land 1.8 % (1877 ha) were
found in the villages of Thaluthalai, Vembavur, Periyavadakarai, E. Rajapalayam andUdumbium and in some of the eastern part of the study area. The Sandy areas occurred insmall patches in the eastern part of study area were found in Periyavadakarai and V.kalathur
villages. It covered an area of about 100 ha (0.1%). These types of lands are essentially tankbeds with long deposited down by streams in the catchment. During the rainy season, thegently sloping areas of sandy clay are subjected to soil erosion. As soon as the raindrops
strike the ground, the sand particles get separated from the clay. Due to slope condition of the
topography, the sands are drained into the stream courses and finally get deposited in theseareas. It is a common scenario in the sandy clay. The Water body comprised of rivers andtanks with 1 % (1066 ha) from the total basin area.
Land use and land cover of 1992
The land use, land cover map for the period 1992 month of observation February, Landsat – 5(TM) satellite image during this period, total agricultural land increased, when compared with
1977, land use had only slight changes within this period, the built –up land (0.6 %) forest(39.2 %), and water body (0.9 %) in their areal extent. During 1977 to 1992, the rural andurban settlements gradually increased from 506 to 577 ha respectively. There was no
appropriate change in the forest land use (fig.3b). In the agricultural land areas, whichconstituted for crop land, fallow agriculture land and plantation totally occupied by 53.4%(55223 ha) in the total study area. The Crop land and plantation also increased as comparedwith 1977 satellite imagery, plantation activities which were seen in
Koneripatti,
Kondayampalli, Ulipuram, Narikinaru, and Sentharapatti western middle part of the study area
and Gundininadu and Thirupulinadu in along with a Kolli malai rim of the basin, central part ofthe study area Gangavalli, Veeraganur, Pulambadi, Arumbavur and Vengalam. The villages
that occupied this kind of land use activities increased. There was no change in the forest
land use during this period. But the evergreen forest reduced, at the same time deciduous
forest and scrub forest increased. Hence, the evergreen forest covered 19.5% (20193 ha),deciduous forest covered16 % (16518 ha) and scrub forest 3.7 % (3869 ha) respectively(table.1). The Rural settlements remained in the same area, since the people primarily carriedout agriculture. And most of them were the agricultural laborers. The area constituting lakes

161and the river/tank (water bodies) has slightly decreased and occupied 0.9 % (960 ha) of thestudy area.
Land use and land cover of 1999
The land use and land cover for the year 1999 has been derived from Land sat 5 (ETM)satellite image. During this period, there were no changes in the build up land (0.6 %), waste
land (7.96 %), and water bodies (0.9 %) in their areal extent, when compared with 1992.
Other land use had slightly changed within them (table.1). During 1992 to 1999, in the ruraland urban settlements, there was no appropriate change. The Forest areas were steadilydecreased from 40580 ha to 40041 ha km respectively. The proportion of Agricultural land,waste land had decreased in all the categories, except water bodies and forest. The absenceof agriculture plantation showed a decreased trend, when compared with 1992 land use andland cover area. The Cropland decreased from 41.6 % to 33.7 % and fallow agriculture land
(8.1% to 17.4%) and waste land (5.9 to 8 %) increased during this period, particularly in theeastern part of the study area (fig.3c).
Land use and land cover of 2005
The land use and land cover class for the year 2005 has been derived from IRC 1 C Resource
sat – 1 LISS III multi temporal satellite image. When compared with 1999 land use of thestudy area, the agricultural lands were going towards development, and the crop land from56.5 % (348.64 Sq.km) to 36.46 % (37705 ha) increased respectively, as well as theplantation also increased in Pachamalai hilly track during this period. The forest area wasgoing towards degradation from 38.7 % (40041 ha) to 37.2 % (38458 ha) respectively.
Especially, the evergreen forest and deciduous forest covering 18.2 % (18844 ha) and 16.9 %(17443 ha) of the total forest land use. It should be noted that the area under wasteland was
suddenly decreasing, when compared with 1999 satellite imagery (fig.3d). The wasteland withscrub covered 3.7 % (3795 ha) and ravenous land covered 0.7 % (761 ha). At the same time,
the sand deposition (sandy area) was steadily increasing, when compared with 1999, which of
the total area of the wasteland. There was a rapid increase in the rural and urban settlementsfrom 1999 onwards. The Rural settlements covered an area extent of 0.9 % (951 ha) andurban settlements had 0.2 % (163 ha) in 2005. Water in the tanks was high during this period.
Hence, the water bodies were in increasing stage, which occupied about 2.2% (2290 ha) of
the total area under the study.
Land use land cover of 2012
In the present study, the land use and land cover map of the basin has been derived for 2012
IRS resource sat -2 LISS III multi temporal satellite image, when compared with 2005 land useof the study area. The total agricultural land decreased, when compared with 2005 land use.
But the crop land covering was 42 % (43434 ha). It denotes the development of this period. In
the forest land, during this period, there were more changes when compared with 1977, 1992,
999 and 2005 satellite imagery. But steadily increased from 2005 to 2012. When comparedwith 2005 land use of the study area. The crop lands as well as the forest area were goingtowards development and also for the degradation evergreen forest. The Evergreen forests
like Kolli malai and Pachamalai were covering 17.6% (18194 ha) in their areal extent,
respectively. The kolli malai, varagur reserved forest and perumal malai reserved forest in
162south western parts degraded, when compared with 1999 satellite imagery. During thisperiod, about 7.1 % (7318 ha) of the study area were under wasteland, including waste withscrub, sandy area Gullied/ ravenous and Barren rocky areas. The Wasteland with scrub
engaged 5.5 % (5666 ha) areas respectively. Especially, the sandy area saw a rapid increasesince 2012, and the built up land land use increased during this period (fig.3e).The Rural
settlements had an area of 1 % (1070 ha) and urban settlements had an area of 0.7 % (712ha) during this period. Water bodies comprised of tank and river with 2.5 % area coverage,
gradually increasing.
LAND USE AND LAND COVER CHANGES DURING 1977 – 2012
The changes in the Land use / land cover in the study area were estimated from 1977 to 2012.
Table 2 gives the statistical results of land use / land cover changes. It is evident from thetable.2, 3 and figure.2 that the land use/land cover changes where the highest amount of
evergreen forest, fallow agriculture, cropland and deciduous forest from 1977 to 2012.
1. AGRICULTURAL LAND
It is defined as the land primarily used for farming and production of food crops, commercial
crops and horticultural crops. It includes the land under irrigation and rain-fed crops, which are
growing under different seasons, in different farming activities. The Agricultural activities inthe basin are mainly dependent on the southwest and northeast monsoons. They are affected,
mostly by the natural hazards such as the drought, due to uncertainty of monsoon rains, soils
and topography. It covers an area of 51.2 per cent to the total area.
1.1 Agricultural Plantation
The Major agricultural plantation crops cultivated in this study area are coconut, sugarcane,
areca nut, eucalyptus and fruit crops like mango, banana, guava, jack and sapota. The area
under agricultural plantation was 981 ha in 1977, 3833 ha in1992, 752 ha in 1999, 1810 ha in2005, and 1740 ha in 2012 of the total geographical area of the basin. The Overall growth in
the agricultural plantation areas between 1977 and 2012 was 759 ha, largely decreased from1992 to 1999, with total decreases of 3081 ha. A slight decrease from 2005 to 2012 is 70 ha.
Hence, the overall rate of changing the value (R) is 22 positively towards development.
1.2 Crop Land
The crop land is used for paddy, tapioca, maize, cholam and other vegetables crops. The
study area has an area of 43434 ha, under crop land use. A decrease of 8166 ha wasobserved during 1992 to 1999. There was an increasing in this land use from 1977 to 2012.
The changing rating R value represents 253 positively towards development in overall land
use in the study area.
1.3 Fallow/Agriculture
The Fallow land is defined as a cropped area, which is kept unploughed temporarily for one ormore seasons, but not less than one year. These lands are particularly devoid of crops during
both the seasons. The crops may be of either Kharif or Rabi or both seasons, which are known
as the fallow lands. A total of 7742 ha area comes under fallow land which accounts for 7.5% of the total basin area. The fallow agriculture increased by 9654 ha in the period between
163

1992 and 1999. 1977-1992, 1999-2005, and 2005-2012 particularly decreased by the 93.40
Sq.km, 8.64 Sq.km 94.14 Sq.km and 99.64 Sq.km. The Overall changing rate R value is 285
negatively changed towards degraded during 1977 to 2012.
Tabale 1 Area under different Land use land cover changes in Sweta Nadhi basin from 1977 to 2012
Sl.
No
.

1

1977
Broad Land
use

Agricultural Land

Land use / Land
Cover

Forest%Area inHa.

%

Area inHa.

%

Area in
Ha.

%

Agriculture
Plantation

981

0.9

3833

3.7

752

0.7

1810

1.7

1740

1.7

Crop Land

34564

33.4

43030

41.6

34864

33.7

37705

36.5

43434

42.0

Fallow/Agriculture

17700

17.1

8360

8.1

18014

17.4

17150

16.6

7742

7.5

53245

51.5

55223

53.4

53631

51.8

56665

54.8

52916

51.2

Evergreen Forest

29462

28.5

20193

19.5

29430

28.5

18844

18.2

18194

17.6

Decidous Forest

9983

9.7

16518

16.0

9558

9.2

17443

16.9

18582

18.0

Scrub Forest

1044

1.0

3869

3.7

1052

1.0

2171

2.1

2061

2.0

40489

39.1

40580

39.2

40041

38.7

38458

37.2

38837

37.5

6128

5.9

5480

5.3

6321

6.1

3795

3.7

5666

5.5

100

0.1

66

0.1

209

0.2

328

0.3

1300

1.3

1877

1.8

525

0.5

1692

1.6

761

0.7

320

0.3

32

0.03

32

0.03

32

0.03

32

0.03

32

0.03

8137

7.9

6103

5.9

8254

8.0

4916

4.8

7318

7.1

Rural

468

0.5

516

0.5

506

0.5

951

0.9

1070

1.0

Urban

37

0.0

61

0.1

74

0.1

163

0.2

712

0.7

506

0.5

577

0.6

580

0.6

1114

1.1

1782

1.7

1066

1.0

960

0.9

938

0.9

2290

2.2

2590

2.5

103443100103443100103443100103443100103443

100

Sandy Area
Guillied/RavinousLand
Barren Rocky
Total

4

Built-Up
land

Total
5

Water Body

2012

Area inHa.

Wasteland with
Scrub
Waste
Land

2005

%

Total

3

1999

Area in
Ha.

Total

2

1992

River & Tank

Grand Total

Source:Compiled by Author and calculated from satellite images.

2. FOREST
The area of crops rose in the forest and grazing lands or areas open for grazing within theforests should remain included under the forest area. It is an area notified for forest boundary,predominantly with trees and other vegetation capable of producing either timber and otherforest produce. In the study area, a hilly terrain has a distinct forest cover with 38837 Sq.km(37.5 %) of the total geographical area.

164

Figure 2: Temporal land use and land cover changes of Sweta Nadhi basin (1977 to 2012)

Table 2 Findings of Land use/Land cover changes of Sweta Nadhi Basin (1977 – 2012)
Sl.
No.

Broad Land
use

1

AgriculturalLand

2

Forest3

Waste Land

4

Built-up land

5

Water Body

Land use / Land Cover1977 1992

1992 1999

1999 2005

2005 2012

1977 2012

Area inha.

Area inha.

Area in ha.

Area inha.

Area inha.

Agriculture Plantation

2852

-3081

1058

-70

759

22

Crop Land
Fallow/Agriculture

8466
-9340

-8166
9654

2841
-864

5729
-9408

8870
-9958

253
-285
-322

Evergreen Forest

-9269

9237

-10586-650-11268

Deciduous Forest

6535

-6960

7885

1139

8599

246

Scrub Forest

2825

-2816

1119

-110

1017

29

Wasteland with Scrub

-648

841

-2526

1871

-462

-13

Sandy Area
Gullied/Ravenous land

-34
-1351

143
1167

119
-931

972
-441

1200
-1557

34
-44

Barren Rocky

0

0

0

0

0

0

Rural

47

-10

445

119

602

17

Urban

24

13

89

549

675

19

Tank and River

-106

-22

1352

300

1524

44

Note: Positive sign (+) means an increase while a negative sign (-) means decrease in area.

2.1 Evergreen Forest
About 18194 ha, land comes under evergreen forest which accounts for 17.6 % of the total
area. The evergreen forest found here are due to high humidity condition and elevation. . The
evergreen forest land use respectively, increased by 9237 ha in the period between 1992 and1999. The overall changes of the land use with evergreen forest land areas during 1977 to2012, degraded in the study area. The changing rate value R is 322, which negatively
165

represents the land use changes of the study area, when compared with other land use/ land
cover classes.
2.2 Deciduous Forest
The Deciduous forest occupies a considerable position in its extent. It extends to all along thestructural hills in the north and eastern portions, and some batches in the central and southernparts of the basin. The area of 18582 ha (18 %) in the study area is occupied by deciduous
forests. This category of land use gradually increased in the period from 1999 to
2012respectively. And the period from 1992 to 1999, the area has decreased to 6960 ha in the
total study area. The overall changing rate R value 246 represents the increase in positively
towards the development from1977 to 2012.
2.3 Scrub Forest
The Dry deciduous forest and degraded forest at moderate and low elevation areas of hills,
some evergreen climax forest and semi evergreen climax forest which are degraded, arecalled as scrub forests, the area of 2061 ha (2 %) in the total study area. The area underscrub forest noticeably increased from1977 to 1992. Therefore, in this type of land use, there
was a gradual increase from 1977 to 2012. The value of R is 29 slightly towards developmentof this land use system.
3. WASTELAND
The Wastelands, which are described as the degraded land, can be brought under thevegetative cover with reasonable effort. But at present, they are utilized and are deteriorating
due to the lack of appropriate land, water and soil management or on account of naturalcauses. It is described as the degraded land which can be brought under vegetative coverwith reasonable effort, and which is currently under-utilized and deteriorates due to lack ofappropriate water and soil management due to natural causes (National Wasteland
Development Board, NWDB, 1987). The wastelands occupied an area of about 7318 ha or 7.1% of the total area of the basin.
3.1 Wasteland with Scrub
It is one of the wasteland categories which occur throughout the land in different geographicalsituations. It is generally associated with foothills, highland topography like upland areas of thesoil with a thin layer or eroded lands, bad land topography and so on. Especially, the period
from 2005 to 2012, there was an increase in the wasteland around 1871 ha, when comparedwith 1992 and 1999 satellite imagery. About 2526 ha of land were under wasteland, from theperiod of 1999 to 2005, which denoted that the land with scrub area was decreased. The
overall R value 13 is a negative sign; it was slightly decreased in the entire basin.
3.2 Sandy Area
These are the areas, which have stabilized accumulations of sand in-site or transported in the
coastal river line or inland (desert) areas. These occur either in the form of sand dunes,
beaches, channel (river/stream) islands, etc. (NRSA). The period from 1977 to 1992, thesandy area of land use decreased with an aerial extent of 34 ha of the total study area. During
1992 to 2012, the land use of sandy area gradually increased. Finally, the large amount of166

land, increased with this type of categories, from the period of 2005 to 2012 onwards. Finally,
the overall changing rate of R value is 34 (1200 ha), which has positively increased.
3.3 Gullied/Ravenous land
The gullies are formed as a result of localized surface runoff, affecting the friable
unconsolidated material in the formation of perceptible channels, resulting in undulating
terrain. The gullies are the first stage of excessive land dissection followed by their networking,which leads to the development of ravenous land. The word ‘ravine’ is usually associated notwith an isolated gully, but a network of deep gullies formed generally in thick alluvium andentering into the nearby river, flowing much lower than the surrounding high grounds. The
ravines are extensive systems of gullies developed along the river courses (NRSA). They
cover an area of 320 ha, accounting for 0.3 % (2012) of the total study area. This type of land
use occupied an area of 1168 ha of the total area of the basin in the year from 1992 to 1999
was increased. The overall changing rate value R (44) is negatively towards this type ofdegraded lands.
3.4 Barren Rocky
It is defined as the rock exposures of varying litho logy, which is often barren and devoid of soil
cover and vegetation and not suitable for cultivation. They occur amidst of the hill forests as
openings or scattered as isolated exposures or loose fragments of boulders or as sheet rocks
on plateau and plains. It includes quarry or gravel pit or brick kilns (NRSA). The area underthe barren rock was 32 ha, or 0.03 % (2012) of the total geographical area, and has been
unvarying from 1977 to 2012. The Isolated barren rocks in the uplands may be used for stone
quarrying.
4. BUILT-UP LAND
It is defined as an area of human habitation developed due to non-agricultural lands which
covers the buildings, industrial structures, transportation network, etc. The study area, being
an agricultural region, the proportion of settlements is very less. Both the rural and urban
settlements increased from 1977 to 2012. The changing R value is both the rural and urban
increased respectively.
5. WATER BODIESIt is a natural or man-made enclosed water body with a regulated flow of water. It is a natural
course of water distributed over the land. It includes ponds, lakes, streams and rivers. It
occupies 2590 ha or 2.5 % of the total area of the basin.
5.1 Tank and River
From the period of 1977 to 1999, this type of land use category decreased. When comparing
1999 to 2012, the water body areas were increased, and the R value positively increased in
total land use system of this category.

167

Table 3 Findings of Land use/Land cover changes of Sweta Nadhi Basin (1977 – 2012)Land use / Land Cover

1. Agricultural Landa) Agriculture Plantationb) Crop Landc) Fallow/Agriculture

2. Foresta) Evergreen Forestb) Deciduous Forestc) Scrub Forest

3. Wastelanda) Wasteland with Scrub

Changes during 1977 to 2012
1992 - 1999 and 2005 - 2012 during that time having decreasing
Agricultural plantation

Degradation

Increasing Agriculture plantation overall in 1977 -2012

Towards
development

Declined rapid form 1992-1999 during that time having declined thecrop land

Degradation

1977 -2012: Overall, increasing in this land use due to major portions
are transformed into dry farming

Towards
development

1992 - 1999: increasing the fallow agriculture during this period

Degradation

1977 -2012: overall decreasing in this land use because fallow lands
converted to dry farming system

Towards
development

1992 - 1999: increasing in this land use

Towards
development

1977 -2012: overall decrease in this land use due to forest plantation

Degradation

1992 - 1999: decrease in this land use

Degradation

1977 -2012: overall increase in this land use major parts of theunirrigated lands converted to dry farming activities
1992 - 1999 and 2005 - 2012 during that time having slightly
decreasing because many pockets of scrub land converted to irrigate
and dry farming.

Towards
developmentc) Gullied/Ravenous landd) Barren Rocky
4. Built-up land
5. Water Body

Towards
development

1977 -2012: Overall increase in this land use

Towards
development

2005 - 2012: Most of the areas into irrigated land and dry farming,
the foothills are occupied with scrubs

Towards
development

1977 -2012: overall increase in this land useb) Sandy Area

Development /Degradation

1977 – 1992: Decreased by changing the agricultural activities andrain-fed farming
1992- 2012 and overall increasing this type of land use-someirrigated land and dry forming areas encouraged by sands.
1992-1999: increasing this type of land use affecting river course
nearby agricultural lands
1977-2012: Overall decreasing this type land use, Most of ravenous
lands converted to dry farming cultivating suitable crops.

Towards
development
Towards
development
Degradation
Degradation
Towards
development

No change from 1977-2012---------------------------Overall, both rural and urban settlements increased from 1977 to2012 except 1992 - 1999
No change in the study area, but tank with silt, scrub andencroachment areas are increased slowly.

Towards
development

Source: Compiled by Author

168

Degradation

Figure 3: Land Use Land Cover Maps from 1977 to 2012Conclusion
The LU/LC analysis in a GIS system and Remote sensing data, helped in bringing out themaps and statics with useful options for alternate land use plans in the study area. While
analysing the status of land use from1977 to 2012 it is noticed that there is a considerable
change. According to a change the increase of the crop land predominates followed bydeciduous forest, scrub forest, plantation crops, urban, rural settlement area and sandy areas.
At the same time there is a decreasing trend in areal extent of evergreen forest, fallow land,
scrub and gullied land. No change in rocky areas in waste land category. Among the various
land uses the major changes are seen from 1999 to 2005 notably. in crop land, evergreen
forest, gullied/ravenous land and wasteland. The land use activities in and around Kolli hills
and Pachamalai evergreen forest were identified uncontrolled degradation and exploitation
forest, are converted to other anthropogenic activities. The sandy area is increased in theeastern part of the in the vicinity of, Periyavadakarai, Kaikalathur, Vembavur, Neikuppai,
Pasambalur, Bimbalur and V. Kalathur villages during 1977- 2012. Hence, the environmental
169

conservation groups need to work in collaboration with the government in conducting removalof sands from the farming fields. If it is not controlled, the sandy area may get extended to thesurrounding areas. A Proper guidance and training should be provided to the local people,
who knowingly or unknowingly deplete the forest resources and land resources.
References
1. Bolland, L. P., Ellis E.A., Gholz H.L. (2007) Land use dynamics and landscape history
in La Montana, Campeche, Mexico, Landscape and Urban Planning. Vol.82, 198-207.
2. Chaturvedi, A. N (2000) Viability of Joint Forest Planning and Management in Uttar
Kannada District, Karnataka, Indian Forester. Vol.126, 5, 499-504.
3. Chebet, C. (2013) An Assessment of Land Use and Land Cover in and Around
Kakamega Forest in Kanya Using GIS and Remote Sensing, Journal of Emerging
Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences. Vol.4, 1, 46-53.
4. Giri, C., Defourny, P., and Shrestha, S. (2003) Land cover characterization andmapping of continental Southeast Asia using multi-resolution satellite sensor data,
International Journal of Remote Sensing.Vol.24, 21, 4181-4196.
5. Khanna, S. (2001) Mechanisms, Systems and Arrangements in JFM Villages ofGujarat – JFM –cell Geer foundation. 1-52.
6. Lambin, E.F., Turner, B.L., Geist, H.J., Agbola, S.B., Angelsen. A., Bruce, J.W.,
Coomes, O.T., Dirzo, R., Fischer, G and Folke, C. (2001) the causes of land-use andland-cover change: moving beyond the myths, Global environmental change. Vol.11,4,
261-269
7. Mishra, B, P., Tripathi, O.P., Tripathi, R.S and Pandey, H.N. (2004) Effect ofanthropogenic disturbance on plant diversity and community structure of a sacredgrove in Meghalaya, North East India, Biodiversity and Conservation. Vol.13, 2, 421436.
8. NRSA. (1988-89) Manual of nationwide land use land cover mapping, National Remote
Sensing Agency, Hyderabad. (http://mospi.nic.in/Mospi_New/upload/ax0406.htm).
9. Trung, N.H., Le Quang Tri., Mensvoort, M.E.F.Van., Bregt, A.K., (2006) Application of
GIS in land-use planning, a case study in the coastal Mekong Delta of Vietnam, In:
Proc. International Symposium on Geoinformatics for Spatial Infrastructure
Development in Earth and Allied Sciences, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. 01-11 November
2006.

170