| Understanding land use and land cover (LULC) change is essential for monitoring how Earth's surface evolves over time. The increasing demand for urban expansion and resource consumption has made it critical to track LULC dynamics and identify the drivers behind these transformations. Regions like the West Kohima District, part of the geologically active Himalayan belt formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates approximately 55 million years ago are experiencing rapid surface alterations. Located at an elevation of 1,444 meters and still thrusting at 4.5-5 cm/year, the district presents a compelling case for geospatial analysis. Using Landsat satellite imagery across decades, five major land categories were identified: Vegetation, Built-up, Agriculture, Water Bodies, and Barren Land. Vegetation cover decreased from 28,593.01 to 24,082.71 hectares, while built-up areas nearly doubled, indicating accelerated urbanization. Agricultural land slightly decreased, and water bodies saw a marginal decline, while barren land increased. Vegetation and built-up zones experienced the most dramatic shifts. Effective land management and planning are essential for a robust environment, necessitating implementation by policymakers and planners. LULC alterations primarily resulted from the marginalization of shifting cultivation, deforestation, infrastructure development, and urban migration. In Northeast India, where data is limited, this study provides policymakers with fundamental insights into LULC. It also proposes strategies to ensure sustainable land use planning amidst rapid growth.
Keywords: Lan duse Lan dcover, Landsat, West Kohima District, Geo-Spatial, Change Detection.
Aberrations: Understanding land use and land cover (LULC), Geographic Information System (GIS)
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