Land use/Land cover Dynamics and Groundwater Quality Mapping of Mal Municipality, West Bengal using Geospatial Technology

Abstract

The expansion of urban areas and agricultural land, driven by population growth and economic development, has notably altered the landscape. Concurrently, the reduction in forest cover and natural vegetation raises concerns about ecological sustainability and biodiversity loss. This research examines the dynamicity of land use and land cover (LULC) and water quality of Mal Municipality, located in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. Utilizing Landsat satellite imagery and GIS technology, the research identifies significant changes in the region's LULC over the past two decades. Water quality analysis, conducted through sampling and laboratory testing, reveals the impact of these LULC changes on local water resources. Key parameters such as pH, TDS, turbidity, hardness, chloride and sulphate, magnesium and calcium hardness have been measured to assess the health of the groundwater in Mal Municipality. The result of the present study explains Vegetation covers and surface water bodies of Mal municipality are continuously declining in the last two decades, whereas built up areas are increasing day by day.  A great variation is observed among the water quality parameters throughout the Mal Municipality. The present study has ended with the water quality assessment of Mal municipality, which indicates that the maximum parts of Mal Municipality have good to very poor-quality groundwater. Although the overall groundwater quality of most parts comes under usable condition, significant parts have unsuitable groundwater which really needs the attention of the environmental planners. The findings underscore the urgent need for integrated land and water resource management strategies to mitigate environmental degradation. This study serves as a crucial baseline for policymakers, urban planners, and environmentalists aiming to promote sustainable development in Mal Municipality while safeguarding its natural resources.