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NSave Nature to Survive

4(2&3) : 247-253, 2010QUARTERLY

A STUDY ON LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGE AROUND THE

HYDERABAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT USING REMOTE SENSING

TECHNIQUE

S. S. ASADI*, CH. HANUMANTHA RAO, M. J. RATNAKANTH BABU AND T. LAKSHMI PRASAD1

Department of Civil Engineering, K. L. University, Green Fields,

Vaddeswaram - 522 502, Guntur, A. P., INDIA1Department of Earth Science, Yogi Vamana University, Kadapa - 516 003

E-mail: asadienviron.asadi@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION

Land is one of the prime natural resources. Land use / land cover changes

associated with urbanization are important drivers of local geological, hydrological,

ecological and climatic change. It brings about phenomenal socio-economic

transformation in the surrounding rural areas leading to urban encroachment.

Urban encroachment is a process of acquisition and occupation of lands for the

expansion of urban activities. Such encroachment adds to the town / city area

which has been taken over from the surrounding rural lands. The acquired land

is generally utilized for non-agriculture purpose. The land left unutilized is generally

devoted to crops meant for city markets such as vegetables and cash crops.

As cities are expanding in all directions resulting in large-scale urban sprawl and

changes in urban land use, land use and change detection studies are essential

for sustainable use of the land. The changes of land use/land cover pattern over

a time period control the pressure on land (Jenson, 1996). The complexity of

urban development is so dynamic that it calls for an immediate perspective

planning of cities and towns (Mishra,2005). Accurate, reliable and comprehensive

spatio-temporal information on land use practices in a city is prerequisite for

sustainable land management. The remote sensing is emerging as a powerful

land related technology for monitoring and management of land By using remote

sensing we can get data of different periods of a particular place (Jaiswal et al.,

1999).The present study aims to prepare land use/ land cover maps and to

compare them in the study area.

Study area

Location and extent

The study has been carried out in the area around the International Airport located

at Shamshabad, located towards south east of Hyderabad city in Ranga Reddy

district of Andhra Pradesh, India.It is situated between 17º09’45" to 17º19’07"

NL and 78º18’55" to 78º 32’ 30" EL covered by SOI toposheets 56 K/7, 8, 11 and

12. It is spread over an extent of 407.98 km2.

Physiography, relief and drainage

The study area is represented by pediments pediment inselberg complex and

pediplains. General fall in the slope is from west to east in the eastern portion and

east to west in the western portion. The elevation (above MSL) in the area varies

from 500m near Almasguda to 650m near Jannaiguda. There are no rivers in the

study area, however the study area is well drained by a number of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and

4th order streams. Himayat Sagar is major reservoir in the study area. The drainage

in the area is dendritic to sub-dendritic.The overall drainage density is medium.

Climate

Received : 12.08.2009

Revised : 26.05.2010

Accepted : 07.07.2010

*Corresponding author

KEY WORDSNano remotesensing

Land use/Land cover

Change detection

ABSTRACT

The present study deals with the “land use /

land cover mapping and change detection

studies around the Hyderabad International

Airport”.The Studies Involves identifying the

current land use pattern and changes occurred

over a period due to the urbanisation by

adopting satellite remote sensing technologies

and GIS tools. IRS-1D, LISS-III geocoded data

of 2000 and IRS-P6, LISS-IV geocoded data of

2008 Satellite data and toposheets from Survey

of India (SOI) are acquired as primary and

secondary data for analysis. Interpretation

techniques are used to identify the land use/

land cover information by applying both pre-

interpretation, ground truthing and post visual

interpretation of the satellite image layers like

land use/ land cover such as agriculture, waste

land, water bodies, forest etc are prepared.

The interpreted maps topology is created by

linking the spatial data file and attribute data

file. The overlay analysis was carried out to

find out the changes in the land use pattern

over eight years period. The population

pressure, fallow lands, Plantations, has

increased. Drastically agricultural land, Land

with or with out scrub, water bodies

decreased. Forest area shows no change in the

study area.

248

S. S. ASADI et al.,

The study area represents semi-arid climate with dry hot

summer and mild winter. Summer is followed by onset of

southwest monsoon which generally commences in second

week of June and extends up to September. The southwest

monsoon accounts for 75% of the total rainfall. The rainfall is

often erratic and there is a large variation from year to year.

Long gaps lasting 30-35 days are a common feature. The

mean annual air temperature is 25.3ºC. The mean annual

soil temperature at 30 cm depth is 28.9ºC. December is the

coldest month and May is the hottest month.

Temperature

In the beginning of November, the decrease in both the day

and night temperature is rapid. December is the coldest month

with the mean daily maximum temperature at 28.6ºC and the

mean daily minimum temperature at 13.6ºC. In this season,

the night temperature sometimes drops down even to about

7ºC. The mean annual relative humidity was of the order of

64.5%. The highest maximum temperature recorded was

44.4ºC on the 28th May 1985.

Rainfall

The study area records a normal yearly rainfall of 781.0 mm,

the bulk of which is received through the southwest monsoon

during was June to September. The rainfall data for 30 years

from 1975 to 2005 has been computed and the trend for the

rainfall distribution is shown in Fig. 1.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Selection of suitable satellite data

The satellite data browsed for cloud freeness and procured

from National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Hyderabad

for 2000 and 2008 years to prepare the land use land cover

map on 1:50,000 scale.

Collection of survey of India topo sheets pertaining to the

study area

Survey of India Topo sheets of the study area was collected

referencing of the satellite data and also to prepare the base

map for updation using the satellite data.

Image processing of satellite data

The image processing of satellite data was carried out in ERDAS

imagine version 8.6. Sufficient no of Ground Control Points

was taken for rectification of the soi toposheet. All rectifications

(spectral, spatial and geometric corrections) were done for

visual interpretation of land use / land cover.

Interpretation of satellite data for preparation of land use

land cover map of different years and change detection

analysis

The land use/ land cover map of the study area was prepared

using the satellite data adopting appropriate classification

system. Ground truth was carried out to collect ground level

information to be incorporated in the map. Maps was finalized

and converted into GIS software. Similar kind of exercise was

repeated for the same area for different date satellite image

thus to generate two layers of information’s (Fig.2). These two

layers was superimposed one over the other for change

detection analysis. The land use/ land cover maps helped to

identify the environmentally sensitive areas (Palaniyandi et

al., 1997), forests, water bodies, agricultural lands etc. Sample

satellite images are shown in Fig. 3 showing the results in the

changes in the land use pattern.

Geology of the study area

The Archaean crystalline rocks occupy nearly three fourths of

the study area comprising older metamorphic rocks,

peninsular gneissic complex (migmatites) and younger intrusive

rocks. The older metamorphics are represented by

1600

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

Rain

tall

in

mm

Year

1977-7

8

1978-7

9

1979-8

0

1980-8

1

1981-8

2

1982-8

3

1983-8

4

1984-8

5

1985-8

6

1986-8

7

1987-8

8

1988-8

9

1989-9

0

1990-9

1

1991-9

2

1992-9

3

1993-9

4

1994-9

5

1995-9

6

1996-9

7

1997-9

8

1998-9

9

1999-0

0

2000-0

1

2001-0

2

2002-0

3

2003-0

4

2004-0

5

2005-0

6

2006-0

7

2007-0

8

Figure 1: Rain fall pattern in study area from 1977 to 2008

249

amphibolites, steatite and biotite schists. They occur as small

enclaves of varying shapes and sizes and also as linear bands

in peninsular gneissic complex. The prominent enclaves are

seen at Tukkuguda, Raviral ranging in size from a few cm to a

few meters and show NW – SE trend with fracturing and

boulderisation at places. The peninsular, gneissic complex

(migmatites) constitutes the largest and the most wide spread

group of rocks in the area. Medium to coarse grained gneissic

granite of both grey and pink variety is the litho unit migmatite

group. These rocks are generally traversed by vein lets of

epidote, quartz, pegmatite and basic dykes (Sabinsi, 1987).

The granite of the area include porphyritic, coarse to fine

grained of both grey and pink varieties. They are granodioritic

to feldspar granites and are intruded into the migmatites as

well as basic rocks. The prominent outcrops of alkali feldspar

granite occur around Keesara. The granites trend in NNW –

SSE direction. The pink granites are considered to be younger

than grey granite.

Structure

The structural features of the area are both planar and non-

planar. The planar structures include foliation, joints, fractures,

and faults and shear planes. The non-planar structures

observed includes minor folding, folded foliations are linked

in the older metamaphics and migmatite rocks.

Granites/gneisses exhibit NNW-SSE, NNE-SSW, N-S and E-W

prominent joints. These joint are more or less vertical in

general, rarely dipping steeply. Horizontal and sheet joints

are common features in the migmatites as well as in granites.

Generally joints and fractures in massive, porphyritic granites

are more planar inform and appear to have greater areal extent

than those in gneisse (Sharma et al., 1984). As a result, massive

millimeters, closing generally at depth. The trends of the

prominent lineaments are WNW-ESE, NE-SW, NNE-SSW and

N-S. Among these N-S lineaments are considered to be the

youngest.

Sub-surface lithology

The sub surface lithology of this predominantly granitic area

shows a thickness of soil cover ranging from 0.4 to 1.0m., and

weathered granite thickness varies from 0.4 to 28.20m. The

first semi confined fractured and weathered aquifer in the depth

range from 11.50 to 27.00m. and second semi confined

fractured aquifer occurs in the depth range 32.00m to 37.00

m below ground level in a larger part of the area.

Geomorphology

The main geomorphic units in the study area are Pediment,

Pediment Inselberg Complex (PIC), Shallow weathered

Pediplain (PPS) and moderately weathered Pediplain (PPM).

Agriculture and cropping system

The agriculture in the study area depends on monsoon which

is often erratic and unevenly distributed. In the absence of

assured irrigation, farmers depend on rainfall received during

monsoon season for sowing their crops. Rice, cotton, maize,

redgram, greengram are the principal kharif season crops.

Chillies and jowar are some of the other crops grown in the

porphyriitic granites appear in out crop as large columnar

blocks or slabs, where as gneisses appear as rounded domes

or smaller boulders. Foliation joints are developed in the older

amphibolite enclaves and trend NW-SE. Joints and fractures

are denser along the sides and bottoms of narrow linear valleys,

which have developed in granitic terrain than those of in the

upland areas. In outcrops, joints openings range up to several

LAND COVER CHANGE

Figure 2: Sampling details of study

Basic data Data source Secondary data

Preparation of base

mapsRabi seasonKharif season

Development of intcrprcation kcys bascd

on image characteristics. Interpretation and mapping of land use/land cover

categories

Validation and final

interpretation key

Ground verification of doubtfull arcas and modification

of thematic details

Transfer of kharif and rabi season land use / land cover

details on to a single base map.

Final land use / land cover map with

symbols and colours

Area estimation of each land use / land

cover class

↓↓↓↓↓

↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓

↓↓↓↓↓

↓↓↓↓↓

↓↓↓↓↓ ↓↓↓↓↓

↓↓↓↓↓

↓↓↓↓↓

↓↓↓↓↓

→→→→→←←←←←

ISR - P6 LISS-IV On 1: 50, 000

scale

250

S. S. ASADI et al.,

Figure 3: Satellite data of study area

Description Year-2000 Year-2008 Difference

Residential 13.65 21.22 7.57

Industrial 3.30 4.69 1.39

Agricultural Land 191.25 85.50 -105.75

Plantation 0.61 5.62 5.01

Fallow Land 0.30 48.08 47.78

Land with or 76.43 71.89 -4.54

without Scrub

barren rocky 52.57 75.85 23.28

Forest 31.93 31.93 0.00

Research Institute 11.04 11.04 0.00

Water bodies 24.18 20.34 -3.84

Stone quarry 2.72 5.35 2.63

Airport 0.00 11.14 11.14

Open Plots for 0.00 15.33 15.33

Residential areas

Total Area 407.98 407.98

Table 1: Changes in land use patterns

kharif season. Jowar is the main rabi season crops.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Base map

The map depicts major roads, minor roads, railway line, major

and minor settlements, rivers/tanks, canals etc. The data is

collected from Survey of India topo sheets and updation done

using satellite data. (Fig. 4).Fig. 5 and 6 show the land use/

land cover in 2000 and 2008 of the area while fig. 7 and 8

show the land use pattern in 2000 and 2008. Fig. 9 shows

comparision of land uses in 2000 and 2008.

Integration and correlation of the field observations with

satellite derived LU/LC classes

The different LU/LC classes mapped for the study area, their

ground attributes and image expressions on the FCC imageries

of the different seasons are presented. The changes in various

Figure 4: Base Map of study area

land use classes mapped in the 2000 and 2008 are presented

in the Table 1.

Built-up land

It is defined as an area of human habitation developed due to

non agricultural use and that which have buildings classified

into different catogiries like residential, recreational, industrial

etc, transport, communication, utilities in association with

water, vegetation and vacant lands (Thomas, 2000). In the

study area Shamshabad, Maheswaram, Gaganpahad,

Tukkuguda, Sardarnagar, Raviral, Mankal, Saraswati Nagar is

the villages/towns. The total area occupied by built-up land in

the year 2000 was 13.65 km2 which has increased to 21.22

km2 in the year 2008.

Agricultural land

251

LAND COVER CHANGE

Figure 5: Land use /land cover Map of study area as on year 2000

Figure 6: Pie diagram showing land use pattern in 2008

This category includes the land primarily used for farming

and for production of food, fibre, other commercial and

horticultural crops utilized for existing crop land, current

fallows and plantations is included in this category.

Fallow land

The agricultural land which is taken up for cultivation but is

temporarily allowed to rest, uncropped for one or more

seasons, but not less than one year (Brahmabhatt et al., 2000).

These lands are those which are seen devoid of crops at the

time when images are taken in kharif and rabi seasons. There

is considerable increase in fallow land i.e. it was 0.30 km2 in

year 2000 and 48.08km2 in year 2008.

Plantation

It is described as an area under agricultural tree crops, planted

252

Figure 8: Pie Diagram showing land use pattern in 2008

Year-2000

Agricultural Land

46%

Fallow Land

0%Plantation

0%

Land with or

without Scrub

19%

barren rocky

13%

Forest

8%

Stone quarry

1%

Open Plots for

Residential areas

0%

Water bodies

6%

Research

Institute

3%

Airport

0%Residential

3% Industrial

1%

Residential

Industrial

Agricultural Land

Plantation

Fallow Land

Land with or withoutScrubbarren rocky

Forest

Research Institute

Water bodies

Stone quarry

Airport

Open Plots forResidential areas

13.65

3.30

191.25

0.61

0.30

76.43

52.57

31.93

11.04

24.18

2.72

0.00

0.00

21.22

4.69

85.50

5.62

48.08

71.89

75.85

31.93

11.04

20.34

5.35

11.14

15.33

7.57

1.39

-105.75

5.01

47.78

23.28

0.00

0.00

-3.84

2.63

11.14

15.33

-4.54

-150.00 -100.00 -50.00 0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.00

Residential

Industrial

Agricultural Land

Plantation

Fallow Land

Land with or without

Scrub

barren rocky

Forest

Research Institute

Water bodies

Stone quarry

Airport

Open Plots for

Residential areas

Difference

Year-2008

Year-2000

Figure 9: Standard chart comparing land use patterns of 2000 and

2008

S. S. ASADI et al.,

adopting certain agricultural management techniques. It

includes tea citrus orchid’s coconut etc. There is increase in

plantations as in the year 2000 it was 0.61 km2 and in the year

2008 it is 5.62km2.

Forest

It is an area within the boundaries of notified forest drawn

from Survey of India toposheet bearing an association

predominantly of trees and other vegetation types capable of

producing timber and other forest produce.

Wasteland

Wastelands are the degraded or under utilized lands most of

which could be brought under productive use with proper

soil and water management practices (Ghosh et al., 1996).

Wasteland results from various environmental and human

factors. The major classes in this category observed in the

study area are as follows:

Land with or without Scrub

The land which is outside the forest boundary and not utilised

for cultivation. Land with or without scrub usually associated

with shallow, stony, rocky other otherwise non arable lands

(Gautam et al., 1983). These lands are usually located on

stronger slopes and an undulating terrain. The total area

occupied by this category of landuse in the year 2000 is 76.43

km2 which has decreased to 71.89 km2 in the year 2008.

ResidentialYear-2000

Agricultural Land

46%

Fallow Land

0%Plantation

0%

Land with or

without Scrub

19%

barren rocky

13%

Forest

8%

Stone quarry

1%

Open Plots for

Residential areas

0%

Water bodies

6%

Research

Institute

3%

Airport

0%Residential

3% Industrial

1%

Industrial

Agricultural Land

Plantation

Fallow Land

Land with or withoutScrubbarren rocky

Forest

Research Institute

Water bodies

Stone quarry

Airport

Open Plots forResidential areas

Figure 7: Pie Diagram showing land use pattern in 2000

Barren rock and Stony waste

It is defined as the rock exposures of varying lithology often

barren and devoid of soil cover and vegetation. Due to the

erosional activities the bed rocks were exposed in results,

there is considarable increase in this category of land use

from 2000 52.57 km2 to 2008 75.85km2.

Water bodies

This category comprises area of surface water, either

impounded in the form of ponds, reservoirs or flowing as

stream, rivers and canals. The total area occupied by water

bodies in the year 2000 is 24.18 km2. which has decreased to

20.34. in the year 2008.

Mining / Quarry

It is an area under quarrying for stones. It consists of active

quarrying sites and overburden of the earth material. The area

under quarrying is also increased from 2.72km2 to 5.35 km2

from the year 2000 to 2008.

Others - Research Institute, Airport, Open Plots for Residential

areas

All other LU/LC conditions not included in any of the classes

described above come under others. It can be treated as

miscellaneous because of their nature of occurrence, physical

appearance and other characteristics.

Research Institute: A research institute is present in study

area which is unchanged occupies the same area of 11.4 km2

in the time period of 2000-2008.

253

LAND COVER CHANGE

International Airport: An international airport is constructed

in the study area which occupies an area of 11.14 km2.

Open Plots for Residential Areas: As a result of urbanization

in study area some lands were converted into open plots for

residential areas. It occupies an area of 15.33 km2.

Changing trend in land use classes

The boundaries of land use/land cover classes for the year

2000 and 2008 have been compared by superimposing the

maps and the differences were identified. The new boundaries

indicate the changes in land use/land cover .The GIS Spatial

analysis will be used to compute area statistics. Thus the trends,

pattern and direction of changes in land use/land cover have

been detected.

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