Dynamics of Land Use/Cover Change in Manikganj District, Bangladesh: A Case Study of Manikganj Sadar Upazila

Abstract

This study revealed land use/cover change of Manikganj Sadar Upazila concerning with urbanization of Dhaka city. The study area also offers better residential opportunity and food support for Dhaka city. The major focus of this study is to find out the spatial and temporal changes of land use/cover and its effects on urbanization while Dhaka city is an independent variable. For analyzing land use/cover change GIS and remote sensing technique were used. The maps showed that, between 1989 and 2009 built-up areas increased approximately +12%, while agricultural land decreased -7%, water bodies decreased about -2% and bare land decreased about -2%. The significant change in agriculture land use is observed in the south-eastern and north eastern site of the city because of nearest distance and better transportation facilities with Dhaka city. This study will contribute to the both the development of sustainable urban land use planning decisions and also for forecasting possible future changes in growth patterns.