Land resource is the most important natural wealth of any region and their proper utilization is a matter of utmost concern to its people (Codjoe, 2007), Changing pattern of land use not a static phenomenon, a continuous process takes place over time and space. The topology of land use mainly depends on differential practices of land by people. Land use in urban environment is more dynamic comparatively to rural area. The increasing urban population pressure and urban sprawl induced changes of land use and land cover. Most of the geographical changes at peri-urban area are associated with the transfer of land from rural to urban purpose in such an extent that rural environment and economy has been disrupted. Loss of agricultural land, depletion of water resource, increasing fallow land and unemployment of people who are engaged as a agricultural labour makes a problematic situation. Hence, it is logical to expect that a proper utilization of land in the fringe areas is basic for effective urban planning. The present study an attempt has been made to study the Rural-Urban fringe areas of Barddhaman town; Particularly their land use modifications.
Land Resource, land use, land cover, urban sprawl, Rural-Urban fringe, land use modification
