Prediction of landuse landcover using CA-Markov model for the valley regions of Manipur, India

Changes in land use and cover (LULC) serve as critical indicators of socioeconomic and environmental shifts induced by both natural and man-made factors. This assessment was carried out in the Imphal valley region to forecast changes in land use and land cover. In order to examine the spatiotemporal distributions of LULC, the LULC Classification was analysed using Landsat images from 2007, 2014, and 2017. The CA-Markov Chain model was used to simulate the future LULC for the year 2030 of Imphal valley region based on these the past LULCs. The model result showed that wetland herbaceous will decline by 3.3% and settlement area will expand by 28.71%. The Imphal city area is where the majority of the expanding settlement area is located. As a vital resource for future planning initiatives, this study suggests planners, environmentalists, and decision-makers to prioritise sustainable practices and make appropriate decisions for the sustainability of the region.