Spatio-Temporal Change of Landscape and Its Impact on Agriculture Development in Ghaziabad District

Subhash Anand¹, Anjali Bhati^1*, Paramjit Singh², Anju Singh³, Vinod Kumar Mayala⁴ and Harish Kumar¹

¹Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.

²Department of Geography, Meerut College, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.

³Department of Geography, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.

⁴Department of Economics, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.

Corresponding Author E-mail:anjalibhati861@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.12.3.25

Abstract:

In the past two decades, rapid urbanization and population growth have led to significant land use and land cover (LULC) changes in the Ghaziabad district, impacting its natural ecosystem and agricultural development. This study investigates the spatio-temporal dynamics of LULC and its effects on agricultural development during the period 2000 to 2020. Various factors, including human encroachment, industrialization, and excessive resource utilization, have contributed to altering the district's landscape. The research employs multispectral datasets from Landsat satellites, specifically Landsat 5, Landsat 7, and Landsat 8, utilizing Thematic Mapper (TM), Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM), and Operational Land Imager (OLI) data to analyze LULC patterns for the years 2000, 2010, and 2020. The analysis was conducted using ERDAS-Imagine 2013 software to process the satellite images and perform accuracy assessments for each period. The results reveal a continuous decline in agricultural land due to the expansion of built-up areas. The increasing urban sprawl and infrastructure development have encroached upon previously cultivated regions, reducing the availability of agricultural land and threatening the sustainability of local farming practices. These findings underscore the challenges faced by agriculture in the district, where urban growth has led to competition for land and resources. Furthermore, the study highlights the ecological consequences of LULC changes, including the disruption of natural habitats and reduced ecosystem services. As the study primarily focuses on understanding the spatio-temporal changes in LULC and their impact on agricultural land, the organic farming sector emerges as a critical aspect of the evolving agricultural landscape. This research also serves as a critical resource for sustainable land management strategies in Ghaziabad, emphasizing the importance of mitigating the adverse effects of LULC changes on agriculture and the broader environment.

Keywords:

Agriculture Development; GIS; Organic Farming; Remote Sensing; Spatial- Temporal Change

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