Transforming landscapes: mapping urbanization and forest cover degradation in Dehradun, Uttarakhand (2000–2020)

Abstract

Urbanization is a rapidly intensifying global phenomenon, reshaping landscapes and altering ecosystems across regions. In India, the foothills of the Himalayas, particularly Dehradun, has witnessed significant transformations due to urban expansion. Rapid urbanization has given rise to various adverse consequences affecting the environment, economy, and the well-being of its inhabitants. Among these challenges, land-use change stands out as a significant issue linked to urbanization. This research investigates alterations in land use and land cover (LULC) during the period from 2000 to 2020 within the Dehradun District of Uttarakhand. Forest cover degradation is one of the main threats to the area. LULC changes are determined with an interval of 5 years, that is, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. Remote sensing (RS) and Geographical information system (GIS) methods detect changes in urban and forested areas using a multi-temporal supervised classification approach for generating LULC maps. The classifications reveal significant changes in the study area from 2000 to 2020. It was found that there was a decline in dense vegetation by 9.00% and an increase in built-up area by 2.32%, which may be due to the increase in urbanization and industrialization across 20 years. The outcome of current research can help significantly improve future development initiatives within the study area and is essential for the effective implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 15. The spatial analysis techniques contribute to a deeper understanding of potential strategies for prioritizing land use policies aimed at restoration at the priority level. These insights can then be extrapolated to benefit other socio-environmental tropical forest systems.