Analyzing Land Use and Land Cover Changes Using Remote Sensing and GIS in Churachandpur District, Manipur, Northeast India

Abstract

Over the past decade, Churachandpur district in Manipur has seen significant changes in land use and land cover (LULC), influenced by both natural processes and human activities. This study looks at these changes from 2017 to 2024 using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing tools to understand how the landscape has developed. Multi-temporal satellite imagery was analysed and verified changes across forest cover, rangelands, agricultural areas, and urban settlements, showing major land transformations. Forest cover dropped by about 78 sq. km, reflecting a 1.65% decrease. Rangelands increased by roughly 67.23 sq. km, or 1.42%, while urban areas grew by 17.49 sq. km, a 0.37% rise. A transition matrix indicated that much of this conversion came from forested areas being changed into rangelands or built-up zones, showing increased human pressure on natural ecosystems. The classification results were reliable, with overall accuracy improving from 83.33% in 2017 to 93.33% in 2024. Kappa coefficients also rose from 75.84%, which indicates substantial agreement, to 91.92%, showing almost perfect agreement. Although forests still cover about 93.24% of the district’s area, the decline points to ongoing degradation and fragmentation of forest ecosystems. The findings also underscore how socio-economic changes affect land use, reflecting a broader trend across Northeast India. Small reductions in agricultural land of 5.62 sq. km (0.12% decrease) and water bodies of 1.35 sq. km (0.03% decrease) suggest a move away from traditional farming and possible stress on local water systems. Overall, this study offers important insights to guide sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, and community-based development in Churachandpur. The findings emphasize balancing development with environmental protection via policy and community involvement. This approach applies to other Eastern Himalayan regions with similar ecological pressures.