Impact Of Land Use Land Cover Change On The Godavari River Ecosystem In Nashik City: A Geospatial Analysis

Abstract

These changes were analyzed using geospatial methodology by employing Landsat Satellite data as well as GIS techniques such as remote sensing. The specific focus of the research covers the decades from 1980 to 2024, with prediction modeling for the year 2030. The QGIS and ARCGIS data processing show six classified LULC categories. Such categories are: vegetation, water bodies, barren land, and others. The region under study is the Nashik city which houses the Godavari River Ecosystem. The results indicate a notable urban expansion allied to the decline in the green cover and water bodies. The developed area is estimated to be 29.12% by 2030. Cropland stays steady at 43.13%, but rangelands are predicted to shrink to 23.44% and tree cover to 3.01% while water bodies further decrease to 1.30%. These patterns foreshadow increased environmental problems such as habitat destruction, poor water retention capacity, and a rise in susceptible floods. Thus, the investigation stresses the importance of sustainable planning to alleviate the negative effects, and promote environmental conservation as you focus on resource utilization. Employing geospatial tools allows for an efficient analysis of LULC change, and provides key information helps for policies and environmental decisions. This study aims to provide the necessary information that affects policy making regarding Godavari River basin and also facilitate integration of development with resource management overlooking the city of Nashik that is facing severe impacts of urbanization on natural resources and the river ecosystem.