Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) change reflects the interaction between human activities and natural processes. The present study aims to monitor and compare land use and land cover changes in Tasgaon and Palus Tahsils of Sangli District, Maharashtra, between 1993 and 2023 using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Landsat satellite imagery of the two selected years was used to generate LULC maps through supervised classification. Major land use and land cover categories identified include agricultural land, built-up area, water bodies, wasteland, and vegetation. The comparative analysis reveals significant transformations in land use patterns over the thirty-year period. The results indicate a notable increase in agricultural land and built-up areas, primarily due to the expansion of irrigation facilities, population growth, and infrastructural development. In contrast, wasteland and open land have decreased, reflecting intensified land utilization. Variations in water bodies and vegetation cover indicate changes in water availability and land management practices. The study highlights the effectiveness of remote sensing and GIS techniques in detecting long-term land use and land cover changes and provides valuable insights for sustainable land use planning, agricultural development, and environmental management in Tasgaon and Palus Tahsils. The findings can support policymakers and planners in achieving balanced and sustainable regional development.
Zambre et al. (Tue,) studied this question.