IMPACT OF LAND USE ON RIVER: A CASE STUDY OF MULA-MUTHA RIVER

Abstract

Urbanisation induces a change in the land use of the area. A single land use change brings along with it a complex set of interconnected changes in the environment. Land use change becomes more significant as its impact on the environment and water bodies. The impact of land use change is not limited to land use, but it extends over to the immediate area. Urbanization-initiated land use change alters the runoff regimes in complex manners. The water bodies are significantly polluted due to the intrusion of anthropogenic activities. It continues to do so until another land use change happens, which may alleviate the existing situation. Thus, it's important to quantify the relation between land use and water quality. Land use change and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) helps us establish relation between health of vegetation and the land use. Water Quality Index describes the health of water body. When these parameters are linked to Land use it helps us in establishing relationship between them. To reduce the adverse impact of land use change and rejuvenate the ecosystem mitigation tools that can be used are Floor Space Index (FSI), Development Control Rules and preparation of Development plans. The aim of this study is to analyse the impacts that the change in land use pattern exhibit on water bodies and establish relationship between them.