Landform and land use changes in CRZ of Mandovi river, Goa

摘要

Coastal changes are dynamic in nature and periodic study of coastal areas is essential for the sensitive management and planning of the coastal environment. This paper attempts to study these changes occurring over the years due to natural and anthropogenic factors. Documentation and analysis of such changes is essential to develop sustainable environmental management plans for coastal zone. The study involves understanding the coastal environment, its geomorphology, changes in the land use patterns and the socio-economic factors influencing them. Accurate, comprehensive and real-time scientific data is essential to monitor such changes over decades, which is best made available through remote sensing. Hence, it has been used as an important tool for analysis. The area has been studied with the help of Survey of India maps and satellite imagery available for the period from 1973 to 2005. After an initial understanding of the entire coastline of Goa, a specific study area along the CRZ of Mandovi River was selected for detailed analysis.