Trend Analysis of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) along the Ganga River Corridor (2 Km Buffer) of Prayagraj City during 1985- 2025

Abstract

This study focuses on the analysis of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes in Prayagraj over the period 1985–2025 using a 2 km buffer zone approach along the ganga river corridor. LULC assessment plays an important role in understanding patterns of urban growth, environmental change, and regional development planning. The study classifies the area into four major categories: water bodies, agricultural land, built-up land, and sandy areas. A comparative analysis across different decades shows significant changes in land utilization patterns. The built-up area expanded considerably from 76.22 km² in 1985 to 387.26 km² in 2025, indicating rapid urbanization and increasing population pressure. In contrast, agricultural land experienced a continuous decline over the study period from 1231.73 to 902.14. Water bodies also showed a slight decrease, shrinking from 55.13 km² to 51.01 km², whereas sandy areas increased from 151.07 km² to 173.74 km². These transformations reflect growing human intervention around the river corridor and emphasize the importance of sustainable urban development and effective riverfront management practices in the region.