GRSG Conference 2022: Orbit to Outcrop

Title: Spatio-temporal variation of land use and land cover changes and their impact on land surface temperature: a case of Kutupalong refugee camp, Bangladesh

Author: Syed. Alimuzzaman Bappa

Abstract:

Environmental degradation can be managed sustainably by analyzing the LULC change pattern periodically that not only helps to rehabilitate the damaged environment but also help to formulate future land-use policies. The Kutupalong Mega Camp in Bangladesh, is at risk of environmental degradation as it is experiencing remarkable changes in LULC because of the Rohingya refugee influx in August 2017.

The objective of this study is to illustrate the trend of LULC change of the Kutupalong Maga Refugee camp before and after the influx and its impact on the surrounding environment and ecosystem. Spatial and Temporal variation of LULC change was analyzed by using the classified multi-temporal Landsat images for years-2015, 2018, and 2021.

This LULC analysis revealed that the forest cover has been gradually decreasing at an alarming rate and replaced by other land cover classes, especially by human settlement. The impact of LULC changes on LST fluctuations was also presented in this study. The maximum LST increased linearly from the year 2015 to 2021. Ecology, wildlife habitat, and thermal environment have been disturbed because of such rapid degradation of forested land and dramatic increase of anthropogenic activities in this area.

This study may serve as a guideline to the concerned authorities and international humanitarian organizations to develop a better comprehensive environmental and land management plan in order to protect ecologically sensitive forest land wildlife habitats.