Land Use Pattern in Gaya District, Bihar: A Geographical and Environmental Analyse

Abstract Land use and land cover are two important components to understand the global land status; they shows present as well as past status of the earth surface. Land use and land cover are two separate terminologies which are often used interchangeably (Dimyati et al 1994). Land cover is a basic parameter which evaluates the content of earth surface as an important factor that affects the condition and functioning of the ecosystem. Land cover is a biophysical state of the Earth surface, which can be used to estimate the interaction of biodiversity with the surrounding environment. Nowadays, land use land cover analysis plays an important role in the field of environmental science and natural resource management. The Land cover reflects the biophysical of state of the earth’s surface and immediate surface, including the soil material, vegetation and water. Land use refers to utilization of land resources by human beings and land cover changes often reflects the most significant impact on environment due to excessive human activities. Land use and land cover is dynamic in nature and provides a comprehensive understanding of the interaction and relationship of anthropogenic activities with the environment (Prakasam, 2010). Land use cover changes also involve the modification, either direct or indirect, of a natural habitats and their impact on the ecology of the area. Land use cover change has become a central component in current strategies for managing natural resource and monitoring environmental changes (Tiwari and Saxena, 2011). Land use cover pattern of a region gives information about the natural and socio-economic factors, human livelihood and development.