Geospatial Analysis of Land Use and Land Cover Change: A Case Study of catchment area of Ramganga river, Uttarakhand

Abstract

In the last ten years, the Kaladhungi area of Nainital district has undergone notable changes in land use influenced by socio-economic, environmental, and institutional elements. Historically focused on agriculture, the area is now experiencing a slow transition to non-agricultural pursuits, such as industrial growth and fruit tree farming. Diminishing interest from young people, shortages in labour, and heightened susceptibility to climate fluctuations have diminished the sustainability of conventional farming methods. As a result, numerous farmers are transforming farmland into orchards or selling it for commercial use, pursuing greater financial gains and less reliance on labour. Simultaneously, agricultural producers encounter various obstacles, including water shortages, conflicts with wildlife, soil deterioration, scattered land ownership, and restricted market opportunities, which all threaten the sustainability of farming. Policy measures, such as land reform rules and environmental safeguards, aim to manage land conversion and maintain ecological balance; nonetheless, gaps in implementation remain. Local governments, using a multi-level governance structure, are essential in overseeing land use changes, balancing progress with ecological preservation. The research underscores that the current transition from agriculture to other land uses signifies a wider rural change, raising worries about the sustainability of agriculture and livelihood security over time in the Himalayan area

Keywords: Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) Change, Agricultural Transformation, Himalayan Region, Socio-Economic Drivers