Mapping of Land Use/Land Cover Changes in the Selected Midland Paddy Fields of Kollam District, Kerala, India

Land use/ land cover is a key driver of global environmental change. A shift in land use and land cover can alter the human settlement patterns and other economic developments and may finally end up with environmental degradation. The present study appraises the land use and land cover changes in the midland paddy fields of Chathannoor Panchayath, Kerala, South India over the last two decades (2002-2019). The digitized data analysis, interpretation, mapping and lay out preparation were done in ArcGIS10.3. Results of the study show the most distinctive changes like the decrease in area of paddy cultivation and elevation in the area of other crops. The reduction in the area of paddy fields mainly occurred during the period 2002 to 2009, with corresponding increase in the area of other crops. The increasing cost due to hike in wages of labourers and the relative price changes in favour of competing crops were responsible for the less cultivation of paddy fields in the study area. The practice of conversion of paddy lands into cultivation with other crops as well as for non-agricultural purpose increased. Stringent measures should be enacted to control these drastic land changes in the study area.