Impact of Rohingya Influx on Land Use and Land Cover and Ecological Service Value Assessment of Ukhiya Upazilla, Bangladesh

Abstract Ukhiya Upazila has experienced regular changes in land use and cover as a result of human activity since the Rohingya were resettled in August 2017. This research paper examines the effects of this massive refugee influx on the land use patterns and ecosystem values of the Ukhiya region of Bangladesh. Through careful analysis, this study seeks to provide insights into how the refugee crisis has impacted the local ecosystem and to identify potential solutions to mitigate these effects. The study examined changes in agricultural, habitation, vegetation, water bodies, and barren land classifications from 2015 to 2021. The study used satellite photos and GIS to classify over 80% of the data. The Kappa statistics were seen to fall within the range of 79-87%, while the accuracy of both producers and users ranged from 80-90%. Satellite imagery from 2015 to 2021 and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology were used to assess changes in agriculture, settlement, vegetation, water bodies, and barren areas. The analysis had classification accuracy over 80%, Kappa statistics between 79% and 87%, and producer and user accuracy between 80% and 90%. The study found that settlement areas (1359.36 ha, 5.2% of the total area) and agricultural areas (1737.54 ha, 6.67% of the total area) have grown while vegetation (2921.7 ha, 11.21% of the total area) has declined. Ecosystem service values (ESV) were estimated using internationally applicable coefficients. ESVs declined, especially when refugees arrived. ESV fell from 42.31 million USD in 2015 to 36.21 million USD in 2021. According to the analysis, refugees are an intractable humanitarian crisis. The results of this study can be utilized as a significant tool for policymakers in the implementation of sustainable strategies aimed at preserving the stability and ecological well-being of the impacted area.