Landuse/Landcover change study of Jharkhali Island Sundarbans, West Bengal using Remote Sensing and GIS

Jharkhali, an island in the Sundarbans, is situated between two mighty rivers, Matla (on the west) and Bidya (on the east) covering an area of about 161 sq.km (2009). The landuse/landcover maps of the Jharkhali island have been prepared from the satellite data and field checking. The time series analysis of land use/land cover changes of this area for the period 1986–2009 reveals a virtual disappearance of the mangroves of Namkhana Reserve Forest. A forest area of 12.400 km² has been found to be converted into aquaculture farms or agricultural fields. Others changes involve conversion of small waterbodies and marginal erosion of the western blank of the island. A further conversion of 34.152 km² agricultural land into settlements is attributed to the growing population pressure in this Biosphere reserve area, World heritage site, and proposed Ramsar Site.