Assessment of Land Use/Land Cover Change, Rainfall Pattern and NDVI in Nandyal District, Andhra Pradesh: Using Geo-Informatics

Abstract

Nandyal District is blessed with pilgrimage heritage sites and spans over 9,681 square kilometres, with diverse ecosystems and varieties of trees occupying about 32% of the land. Looking at the land usage pattern from 2017 to 2024, it is evident that the main activity is farming. Crops occupy about 52.74% of the land in 2024, with rangelands and forests slightly decreasing. It is evident that the rainfall pattern is diverse during these years. It is clear that the growth of crops depends on the rainfall pattern. NDVI shows the diversity in the growth of vegetation. It is evident that the areas with high rainfall are occupied by moderate to dense greenery. It is also evident that the relationship between rainfall and NDVI is not straightforward. More rainfall does not imply the growth of vegetation in all areas, especially those with low rainfall. In summary, it is evident that the change in land usage, the distribution of rainfall, and the growth of vegetation show the importance of sustainable land usage. It is important to maintain the requirements of farming while protecting the land. Continuous research is required to come up with strategies to address the challenges brought about by global warming and urbanization.