Analysing the Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Land Use and Land Cover Change in the Jia dhal River Basin Using Geospatial Techniques

Abstract

Rapid and unplanned urbanization, coupled with changing climatic conditions, has intensified the frequency and severity of flooding across the floodplains of India. The Jia dhal River basin in Assam is a typical example of such environmental stress, where anthropogenic interventions such as channel modification, embankment construction, and settlement expansion have significantly altered the natural hydrological regime. This study examines the spatio-temporal dynamics of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) change in the Jia dhal River basin and assesses its environmental implications using geospatial techniques. Satellite imagery and GIS-based analysis were employed to detect changes in land cover patterns over time and to relate them with hydrological and ecological transformations.

The findings reveal a notable decline in forest and agricultural land, accompanied by a marked increase in built-up areas and barren surfaces, indicating rapid land transformation driven by population pressure and developmental activities. These LULC changes have disrupted the basin’s natural drainage, intensified soil erosion, and heightened flood vulnerability, thereby threatening local livelihoods and ecosystem sustainability. The study underscores that land cover modification, coupled with climatic variability, has significantly altered the basin’s water balance and geomorphic stability.

The research highlights the urgent need for sustainable watershed management and policy interventions focusing on eco-friendly infrastructure development, land use regulation, and community-based adaptation strategies. By integrating spatial data and environmental analysis, the study contributes to a better understanding of human–environment interactions in flood-prone regions and provides a scientific basis for future land and water resource planning in the Jia dhal River basin.