Decline of Green Cover in Protected Areas of Assam: A Satellite Study

Significant Loss of Forest Cover in Assam's Protected Areas

Guwahati, Jan 5: A recent study utilizing satellite imagery has uncovered alarming trends regarding the diminishing green cover in Assam, particularly within protected regions, indicating a failure to safeguard these legally designated areas.

The research, spanning two decades, revealed a notable reduction in forest cover within the Panidihing Bird Sanctuary located in Sivasagar district, primarily attributed to human activities that have led to significant environmental changes.

In 2001, cropland constituted a substantial portion (25.7%) of the sanctuary's total area. By 2021, this figure surged to 42.5%, marking a 65% increase. Concurrently, the built-up area expanded, while forest cover diminished by 5.77% over the same period. The most drastic alterations were observed in grasslands, which shrank from nearly half of the sanctuary's area in 2001 to about one-third by 2021.

During the years 2001 to 2021, grassland decreased by 11.2 sq km, with 15.1 sq km transitioning from grassland to cropland. Other land types, including forest and sandbars, also experienced conversion to agricultural use, as reported by researchers Namita Sharma and Anup Saikia from Gauhati University, alongside Scott M Robeson from Indiana University (USA).

The sanctuary, which spans approximately 34 sq km, is recognized for its rich biodiversity.

From 2001 to 2021, the overall forest loss was recorded at 5.14%, with core forest areas experiencing a decline of 4.56%. This indicates that even the more intact forest sections have faced degradation or loss.

Field observations conducted in December 2022 and January 2023 highlighted inadequate patrolling and protective measures, leading to small-scale agriculture, particularly mustard and potato cultivation.

The findings regarding land use changes, which show a decrease in grasslands alongside an increase in cropland and urban development, suggest that some natural patches may have been entirely converted to non-natural land uses. Although the proportion of degraded patches has decreased, the complete elimination of certain patches remains a concern.

Based on their analysis of landscape fragmentation and vegetation density shifts, the research team warned that the overall health of the sanctuary and its buffer zone is at risk. The rapid decline of grasslands and increased forest fragmentation could have detrimental effects on the sanctuary's wildlife.