Forest mapping and its Change Detection Analysis in Molkalmuru taluk of Karnataka state, India using Geospatial Technology

Abstract: Geospatial approaches address cost-beneficial, convenient and genuine data moreover by temporal domain for natural resource management and developmental planning. Forest conservancy and its impact on environment have gained importance in national and international program. Extreme changes on forest cover around the globe had recorded by fast jump up in population, varying in land use activities, forest fires, pressure on economic mineral deposits, reduced rain conditions and climate change. Forest degradation is a matter of grave concern and prime focus that immensely required for forest sustainable management through systematic planning. According to 1999 assessment of the Karnataka Forest Department, Molakalmuru taluk holds 21% spread of forest cover which includes open deciduous; dense/closed deciduous; forest plantations and scrub forest. The study focuses on timely designing & management of forest lands to satisfy future desires. Mapping of forest lands and its detection is explored using topographic maps of 1:50,000 scale; geo-rectified satellite data of IRS-LISS-III and Sentinel-2A through GIS software's. The ultimate output outlines the forest land exploitation using geospatial tools for its sustainability.

Keywords: Forests; Change Detection Analysis (CDA); Molkalmuru; Geospatial Technology