An analysis of landuse and landcover in Tiruchirappalli district using least square method

Landuse and Landcover changes for the years 1990, 2000 and 2010 have been analysed. Each of the landuse and landcover types exhibit positive and negative changes in all decades that have been considered. Agricultural land, Natural vegetation and water bodies show a decrease in area whereas fallow land, built-up land, scrub without scrub lands and sandy areas go on increasing. The change in land use and land cover category shows a decrease in agricultural land 2088.48sq.km; natural vegetation; 492.52sq.km and water bodies 247.03sq.km respectively whereas an increase in built-up land I & II 316.16sq.km and 359.37sq.km, fallow land 346.91sq.km, scrub without scrub land 367.42 sq.km and sandy area 165.23sq.km. In 2020, the area of agricultural land would decrease to 2010.98 sq.km as per the estimation. It has been estimated that in 2020 the area of built-up land-I would be 338.12 sq.km and Built-up land –II would be 381.11sq.km.The major reasons for these changes are increase in population, climate change and socio economic development activities.