Land Use Land Cover Change Dynamics in Urban Watersheds of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City in Western NepalPages 211-225
Abstract:
Land use and land cover (LULC) change is an important indicator of the environmental and socio-economic impacts of rapid urbanization. This study analyzes LULC dynamics in Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, Nepal, between 2003 and 2017 and examines the factors associated with these changes and their potential environmental and watershed implications. A remote sensing and GIS based approach was employed for assessing LULC changes and land-use transition pathways, using Landsat satellite imagery and spatial analysis. The results showed significant land-use change over the 2003–2017 study period. The built-up area increased by 97.4%, largely replacing agricultural land, which declined by 14.79%. Forest cover slightly increased by 1.84%, while sand areas decreased by 68.67% and water bodies increased by 35.77%. The spatial patterns observed, combined with the demographic data, distribution of infrastructure, and secondary information, indicate that population growth, urban sprawl, and infrastructure development were among the most important factors contributing to the observed LULC change. The findings highlight the need for sustainable land-use policies, green infrastructure, and improved urban planning to ensure environmentally sustainable urban development in Butwal.
Keywords: Land use change, Urbanization, Watershed management, Butwal, ArcGIS, Remote sensing
|
PDF 