Land use changes in Jaffna urban fringe: based on remote sensing and GIS analysis.

Abstract

Land resources have been mismanaged as the demand for the same increases due to various anthropogenic requirements. The unpremeditated development processes triggered from 2009 following the cessation of civil war lead to the land use changes, particularly, on the urban fringe of Jaffna. The study was conducted on selected sites in Jaffna urban fringe for the objectives of analyzing the patterns of land use change over the years from 2004 to 2017 using satellite images and land use map and identifying the driving forces for the same. The land use changing patterns in the study area were identified using the Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies. Quantitative and qualitative information on land use changes were further analyzed through the statistical methods. There are six types of land use were identified which are low land agriculture, high land agriculture, marsh lands, residential and home steads/ garden, sand and water bodies. Accordingly, despite the fact that the physical characteristics of the study area are suitable for agriculture, and conservation, residential and homestead types land uses have increased significantly in 2017 when compared to 2004 as a consequence of uncontrolled construction and development activities. In this scenario, it is necessary to premeditate land use in the area in order to preserve agricultural lands and ground water resources as well as to ensure the sustainable development and economic welfare of the study area.