Geospatial analysis of impact of changing land use pattern on Paddy wetlands: a case study of Thrissur District, Kerala, India

Abstract

Paddy wetlands of Kerala are a victim of incongruous land use pattern and a major portion of paddy lands in the state has already been converted to other purposes. This study employs geospatial technology to analyse the conversion of paddy wetlands to other land uses and also compares the reclamation of paddy fields before and after the enactment of the Kerala
Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act in 2008. The study area is Thrissur district, Kerala, India and the period of study is from 1995 to 2021. The results of the analysis revealed that a significant percentage (4.28%) of paddy wetlands got reclaimed during the period 1995- 2008. Conversion to mixed crops, built-up and wasteland was 10,098.41 hectares, 2,151.38
hectares 747.37 hectares respectively. After 2008 there is a marked reduction in the reclamation, but pollution and degradation of the wetlands still continues. This encroachment and deterioration of paddy lands have impacted the rice production of the study area.