Temporal Analysis of Green Cover Conversion and its Impact on Environment in Ahmedabad District, India: A Spatio-Temporal Study (2001-2021)

This study presents a detailed temporal analysis of land use changes in Ahmedabad district (8,087 km²), Gujarat, India, spanning two decades (2001-2021), focusing on the conversion of green cover and its environmental implications. The research utilizes satellite imagery from the USGS Earth Explorer. It employs Land Use Land Classification (LULC) supervised classification techniques to assess the transformation of the study area over the specified time frame. The study reveals a significant decline in green vegetation area, with Ahmedabad district losing approximately 2100 km² of green cover, equivalent to around 40% of its green area, during the study period. This reduction has mainly resulted from converting agricultural land (vegetation land) to built-up areas. The built-up area experienced an overall increment of nearly one hundred fifty percent, emphasizing the magnitude of the land conversion issue. Furthermore, the study examines the impact of these land use changes on the environment, particularly in terms of temperature variation. It was observed that the Land Surface Temperature (LST) rose by 11°C during the two decades under consideration, indicating significant warming trends in the district. A parallel decrease in green vegetation was also detected, signifying a correlation between land conversion and environmental temperature changes. A spatio-temporal analysis was conducted by superimposing population census data on the LULC data, revealing a positive correlation between population growth and the dynamic rate of land conversion in the Ahmedabad district. The rapidly expanding urban areas and increasing population have intensified the land transformation process, contributing to the loss of green cover. Considering the implications of these findings, e-governance initiatives have the potential to play a key role in addressing the challenges posed by land use changes. Departments such as Planning Authorities, Urban Development Authorities and Agriculture and Forest Department can leverage the study's insights to develop and implement targeted policies for sustainable land management and environmental conservation. This study assesses the temporal changes in land use patterns and their impact on the environment in Ahmedabad district, India. The research underscores the urgency of adopting sustainable land use practices to mitigate the loss of green cover and curb rising temperatures. The findings are of immense significance for policymakers, urban planners, and environmental agencies seeking effective strategies to address the intricate challenges of rapid urbanization and its consequences on the ecosystem.