The research or study of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes in the drought-affected Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques over three time periods: 2017–2021, 2021–2024, and cumulatively from 2017 to 2024. Anantapur, located in the semi-arid region of southern India, is highly vulnerable to climatic variability and anthropogenic pressures, making it crucial to monitor landscape changes for sustainable development. The analysis reveals significant transformations in key land cover categories. Agricultural land witnessed a substantial decline of 617.6 km² (6.12%) over the study period, raising concerns about food security and rural livelihoods. Tree cover also decreased by 46.77 km² (0.46%), indicating potential biodiversity loss. In contrast, rangelands increased by 782.64 km² (7.77%), suggesting a shift towards extensive grazing systems. Water bodies fluctuated due to climatic and human factors, resulting in a net loss of 15.92 km² (0.15%). Other land categories such as built-up areas, bare ground, and flooded vegetation also showed varying trends. The findings highlight the dynamic nature of land use in drought-prone regions and emphasize the need for informed land management and climate-resilient policies. Remote Sensing and GIS have proven to be effective tools for tracking LULC changes and supporting decision-making for sustainable resource use in vulnerable areas like Anantapur.
M. Karunakara Rao (Wed,) studied this question.
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