Monitoring Land Use and Land Cover Changes in Northeast India: A Case Study of Zunheboto District, Nagaland (1991–2021).

This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) in Zunheboto District, Nagaland, over a 30-year period (1991–2021) using remote sensing and GIS-based techniques. Landsat TM (1991) and Landsat 8 (2021) imagery were processed to generate False Color Composites (FCC) and classify six LULC categories: dense vegetation, low vegetation, agricultural land, built-up areas, barren land, and water bodies. Classification was performed using the LANDSAT-I classification system, and area statistics were computed using GIS-based geometry calculations. The results reveal a significant reduction in dense vegetation cover (-29.64%) and water bodies (-34.81%), while agricultural land, built-up areas, and barren land increased by 85.07%, 1046.17%, and 103.71% respectively. The findings highlight the intensifying anthropogenic pressures on natural landscapes, driven by settlement expansion and shifting cultivation practices. The study emphasizes the critical need for integrated land management strategies and sustainable development policies to ensure ecological stability in the region.