Shrutismriti Dutta, Arunima Borah and Tarali Pathak
Abstract
The present study examines spatiotemporal variation of land area and vegetation change in Majuli, Assam to understand change and its effect on the stability of the ecosystem. Riverbank erosion, land use change and man-made activities are leading to growing environmental degradation of Majuli, the worldâs largest inhabited river island. The method used was mixed-method research, i.e. both quantitative and qualitative methods. Structured questionnaires, interviews and case studies were used to gather primary data from 120 respondents and secondary data from satellite images and published literature was used to support the analysis. Data were analysed using the statistical techniques such as percentage analysis, the mean, the standard deviation and Pearsonâs correlation. The results show a substantial reduction in both the extent of land and in vegetation cover, with a greater reduction in the extent of wetlands, the extent of vegetation, and biodiversity. Land dynamics and vegetation changes are well correlated (r = 0.82) which means that land degradation is a key factor in ecosystem imbalance. The study findings indicate that Majuliâs ecosystem is under profound stress and the need of the hour is to plan for conservation, sustainable land management practices and identifying environmentally sensitive zones. It highlights the need for multi-faceted solutions which include policy measures and community involvement for the sustainable use of ecosystems over time.