international journal of geomatics and geosciences

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOMATICS AND GEOSCIENCES Volume 1, No 3, 2010

© Copyright 2010 All rights reserved Integrated Publishing services Research article ISSN 0976 – 4380

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Mapping of Landuse/Landcover Changes of Chennai Coast and Issues related to Coastal Environment Using Remote Sensing and GIS

Santhiya.G, Lakshumanan.C, Muthukumar.S Centre for Remote Sensing, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India.

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Coastal areas are very valuable in view of human beings and more dynamics for land use due to urbanization and industrialization. It is essential to assess the land use/land cover changes for coastal zone management, technologies like Remote sensing and GIS were used to monitor the coastal land use dynamics for the Chennai coast covers stretch of approximately 125kms from Pulicat Lake (North) to Kovalam creek (South). Survey of India Toposheet, Land sat and IRSLISS III satellite data were used for the years 1976, 1999 and 2007. The maps were compared and changes were attributed; and show that the drastic changes in land use profile. Vegetation cover decreased from 15.49% to 11.19% during 19992007 & 19.49% to 15.77% (19761999) respectively. Due to the increased population the settlement and built up areas increased considerably 16.82% (1976), 26.20% (1999) and 31.91% (2007). Field observation shows the current status and issues of coastal environmental problems. Study suggested some remedial measures to protect the coastal environment.

Keywords: Landuse/landcover, Chennai coast, Remote Sensing, Coastal Environment

1. Introduction

Coastal regions are the most important and thickly populated zone in the world. Coastal resources have been under intensive pressure, changes are one of the important aspects of global changes (Li Xiubin, 1995). In world population, 47.2% lives in urban settlements and generate nearby coastal area under increased pollution from natural process such as reclamation, dredging and waves, tides and the anthropogenic process like municipal sewage, urban and industrial activities. Public pressure on coastal zones around the world has increased dramatically in the last 50 years. Landuse change is the modification in the purpose and usage of the land, which is not necessarily only the change in land cover but also changes in intensity and management (Verburg, et al, 2000). Information about land use change is necessary to update land cover maps and for effective management and planning of the resources for sustainable development (Alphan 2003; Muttitanon and Trpathy 2005). Early settlements were established on the coastal areas for both commercial and naval purposes (Nurlu and Erdem 2002). Over the years, remote sensing has been used for land use/land cover mapping in different parts of India (Gautam and Narayanan, 1983; Sharma et al., 1984; Jain, 1992; Brahabhatt et al., 2000). Accurate and uptodate land cover change information is necessary to understanding and assessing the environmental consequences of such changes (Giri et.al, 2005).



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The Chennai city is located in southern part of India and it is the fourth largest, fifth most populated metropolitan city in India. Chennai coastal zone pollution is increased due to the increasing population and industrial activities etc. It is subject to a multitude of anthropogenic impacts attributable to accelerated population growth (7 million) and development of smallscale and largescale industries, expansion of harbours and tourism/recreation related activities in the coastal zone, disposal of municipal wastes, untreated industrial wastes, numerous recreational and commercial activities that not only destroy the quality of coastal water but also pose a serious health hazard to marine biotas and human beings (Beiras et al., 2003; Capuzzo et al., 1985; Rama Devi et al., 1996; Tran et al.,2002;Williams, 1996). Due to the anthropogenic activities there are rapid changes in land use pattern and land cover. In this study the landuse/landcover changes of Chennai coast and environmental conditions were assessed using temporal satellite data using GIS techniques. Also the study suggests the possible remedial measures to protect the coastal environment degradation and to create awareness about the environmental issues and importance of coastal environment.

2. Study Area and Methodology

2.1 Study area

The Chennai city is located between 80 19’ 23” to 80 15’ 12” E and 13 25’ 27” N to 13 O 47’ 21” N and it’s the tropical climate with temperature Min13.9and Max 45° C. The area is divided into three parts: 1)The North Chennai coast comprises of Pulicat Lake, it is the second largest brackish water lake in India and it’s including two very large industries Ennore port and North thermal power stations. The north Chennai coast people depend upon fishing, cropland and salt manufacture. 2) In Central Chennai coast receives industrial effluent discharge from EID Parry fertilizers plant, MRF tyres, Ennore thermal power station, Chennai petroleum corporation Manali, Tamilnadu Petro product and SPIC petro products. On the other hand, they confluence in brackish water bodies, mangroves situated at the fringes of Ennore creek and Buckingham canal. This mangroves environment is attracting large number of wildlife creatures and hence, tourists. Most of the area consists of alluvial tracts and the remaining in the eastern part, is occupied by beach dunes, tidal flats and creek (Abhijeet Bernard Chaves and Lakshumanan, 2008). Chennai Harbour is the busiest place handling more goods and it is consider as eastern gateway of South India. Marina beach; it is the second largest beach of the world. The area is bounded by Buckingham canal flows from northern to southern direction, Coovam and Adyar river flows towards the east direction. The South Chennai coast includes Kovalam creek, the backwaters of Muttukudu boat house and also it consist of historical tourist spots, theme parks, hotel resorts, Aquaculture ponds, farm houses, fishing and navigation activities are main activities in this region (Figure.1). The geology of the Chennai area is classified into five regions, Pyroxene granulite, Marine, Shale with limestone, Charnockites and alluvium. Major soil types are excessively drained sandy soils, in North Chennai coast clayey soils are found nearby Pulicat Lake. Calcareous clay soil is present in south part.



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Figure 1: Location of study area 2.2 Methodology

The Indian Remote Sensing Satellite data (LISS III) for the years 1999 and 2007 and Survey of India topographical map 66D/1, 66C/8, 66C/7 (1976) on 1:50,000 scales were used for the Landuse mapping coupled with intensive ground truth verifications. The satellite data were geometrically corrected and georeferenced with Survey of India (SOI) topographic maps using ground control point (UTM projection and WGS 84 datum). Visual interpretation is still one of the most widely used methods for detecting, identifying and characterizing the spatial features on an image since human brain is a good interpreter of images (Lillesand and Kiefer, 1994).The satellite data were interpreted based on the visual interpretation keys and changes were identified for the land use/land cover and finally verified with the field check using GPS for the doubtful areas and change detection analysis was carried out using Arc GIS 9.2 software.



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3. Results and discussion

3.1 Landuse/Landcover changes

The analysis shows that the major changes are present in the settlement areas due to the rapid population and industrial growth in the coastal belt. It is observed that settlement/Hamlet areas are increased from 16.72% (1976), 26.20% (1999) and 31.91% (2007) with average changes (+41.29%). The central Chennai coastal area is densely populated and more educational, recreational, business activities are situated in this region. It has been observed that the industrial areas are gradually increased from 0.26% (1976), 1.77% (1999) and 1.89% in 2007 to overall changes are observed around +3.40%. The plantation areas have gradually decreased from 19.49% (1976), 15.77% (1999) and 11.19% (2007) due to the urban growth. It is observe that the forest plantation was 1.82% in 1976 and it became increased from the year 1999 (2.35%).and decreased the year 2007 to 1.44% due to encroachment and construction activities and other hand drastic reduction in areas of land without scrub (Figure. 2). Mangrove areas are decreased from 0.38% (1976), 0.003% (1999) and 0.32% in 2007 all have been changed as scrubland, mudflat and waterlogged area.

Figure 2: Landuse/landcover map for the years 1976 of the Chennai coastal



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The Marshy/swampy lands covering an area about 0.42% in 1976,1.14% in 1999 and has been increased in 3.14% in 2007 with overall +3.88% average changes, this is because of the conversion of tidal flat and waterlogged area into marshy/swampy land due to tidal inundation. The mangroves areas increased from 0.01% in 1999 and 0.32% in 2007 due to restoration activities (Figure.3). The mud flat areas are observed decreasing trend 1.76% in 1976, 0.17% (1999) and 0.07% in 2007 with 1.52% average changes, this changes due to very low tides and less wave energy. In 1976 the Sandy area was 2.19%, 2.91% (1999) and 2007 it is observed as 1.16%. Near shore areas most of the sandy areas are converted for industrial activities, builtup land and sea wall protection for natural hazards.

Table 1: Landuse / landcover changes in Chennai coast 1976 1999 2007 Land

cover types Sq.km Percent Sq.km Percent Sq.km Percent

Total changes

Average changes

Settlement/ Hamlets

96.174 16.82 145.543 26.20 182.415 31.91 74.94 +41.29

Cropland 39.213 6.86 8.726 1.57 13.564 2.37 10.80 2.91 Fallow land 1.358 0.23 2.899 0.52 0.788 0.13 0.89 0.42 Plantation 111.452 19.49 87.582 15.77 63.971 11.19 46.46 7.46 Scrub forest 3.467 0.60 21.724 3.91 3.741 0.65 5.17 3.95 Forest blank 0.281 0.04 0.247 0.04 0.005 0.01 0.09 0.01 Forest plantation

10.411 1.82 13.089 2.35 8.264 1.44 5.62 1.98

Salt affected land

0.643 0.11 1.842 0.33 10.786 1.88 2.33 +2.10

Waterlogge d land

54.799 9.58 30.281 5.45 22.304 3.90 18.94 0.23

Marshy/Sw ampy land

2.434 0.42 6.475 1.16 17.964 3.14 4.73 +3.88

Land with scrub

72.480 12.68 77.306 13.92 82.718 14.47 41.07 +15.71

Land without scrub

99.725 17.44 74.906 13.48 98.742 17.27 48.21 13.31

Sandy area 12.518 2.19 16.206 2.91 6.671 1.16 6.27 1.89 Industrial area

1.525 0.26 9.850 1.77 10.837 1.89 3.93 +3.40

River/Strea ms/Canal

29.884 5.22 9.586 1.72 8.904 1.55 8.51 1.94

Lake/Creek 14.242 2.49 43.341 7.80 32.814 5.74 16.03 11.05 Saltpan 15.312 2.67 14.583 2.55 4.738 0.85 6.08 0.72 Mud flats 10.091 1.76 0.962 0.17 0.406 0.07 2.00 1.52 Mangroves 2.212 0.38 0.018 0.003 1.833 0.32 0.71 0.06

During the period 1976 to 2007, waterlogged area, river/canal/streams, plantation are decreased because of the anthropogenic activities. It is observed that in 5.22% (1976),



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1.72% (1999) of river/streams/canal areas diminished to 1.55% in 2007 with 1.94% of average changes and waterlogged area in 1976 was 9.58%, 1997 was 5.45% and it was 3.90% in 2007, with 0.23% average changes and the waterlogged area were transformed as cropland, land with scrub and built up land especially in north and south region. The lake/creek is covered from the 7.66% in 1999, 5.74% in 2007 (Table.1).Because most of the lake/creek have been converted to land without scrub /built up lands due to the form of new residential areas and infrastructure developments. The human activities like dumping of domestic sewage, pesticide, agricultural, chemicals and industrial effluents are the reason for changes in the nature of Pulicat Lake and Ennore creek.




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Figure 4: Comparison of the landuse/landcover in Chennai (1976, 1999 and 2007)


It is observed that cropland covering 6.86% in 1976, 1.57% in 1999 and it is increased to 2.37% in 2007 with 2.91% average changes. It can be seen that increased from cropland in 1976 and also decreased gradually from 1999 to 2007 which might be due to a decrease in rainfall and the degradation of land (Figure.4).Comparatively results have been observed from the land with scrub areas are increased from 12.68% in 1976, 13.68% in 1999 to 14.47% in 2007 with +15.71% of average changes. It may be due to



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conversion of forest plantation, plantation and scrub forest. In 2007, land without scrub was 17.27% and 13.25% in 1999 this is due to degradation of forest plantation and the scrub land but 1976 was 17.44% (Figure.5).Mainly marshy/swampy lands are changed to the land with/without scrub. From that figure, it can be seen easily that salt affected land was increased to 1.88% (2007) and drastically decreased from 0.11% to 0.33% (1976 1999) with changes from (+2.10%).It caused mainly from the transport by the waves is impaired through the interaction of the others land to nearby coastal region, which was the good land used in 1976 and 1999 for different purposes like agricultural land and waterlogged land. Salt pan areas are observed in declining trend that, 2.67% in 1976, 2.58% in 1999 and 0.85% in 2007 due to the inter tidal areas are present from Ennore and kovalam creek.

3.2 Environmental problems due to the changes in Chennai coastal region

3.2.1 Urban population pressure

Chennai has a highest density of population and rapidly increased in land conversation to residential flats and waste generation. Due to enhanced importance of the city and its environment, the migration of people is attracted towards the city, and occupies land for businesses, commercial and residential purposes. (Rupesh and Anjan, 2008). The dumping of the residential solid waste and untreated domestic wastewater are mixing to the sea water and its affects the coastal ecology. (Figure.6).

Figure 6: Sewage pipe directly contaminated on the south Chennai coastal a & b.Chinna Nilangari

3.2.2 Industrial activities nearby coastal region

Chennai coastal area comprises of the industries like thermal power stations, fertilizers plant, tyre manufacturing unit, refineries and petroleum products industries another associated small scale industries (Figure.7). Manali industrial zone and other several zones are located near to the sea shore. These industrial units may discharge the partial treated and untreated effluents that containing heavy metals and other toxic chemicals that severely affecting the coastal and marine ecology. Especially, in north Chennai coast,



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due to these industries Pulicat Lake is severely affected and it is the very sensitive ecological area for birds migrating of this place. Also due to 2004 Tsunami the Chennai coast was severely got eroded. Several commercial, business and construction activities are creating more erosion problems to the coast (Figure. 8).

Figure 7: Industrial activities of north Chennai coastal a. Kattupalli b.Ennore

Figure 8: Showing the Industrial map of Chennai coastal



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3.2.3 Tourism

The tourism activities are major problem for the coastal zone pollution especially solid waste and plastics which creates several environmental problems to the marine organisms. In north Chennai coast, Pulicat lake sanctuary is a very important tourism activity. The Marina, Muttukudu, kovalam beaches are most hot tourism spots. Southern Chennai region is very popular for tourism and resorts (Figure.9). Several theme parks and other recreational activities are more in this region. These kinds of activities are polluting the coastal zone and altering its nature (Figure.10).

Figure 9: Toursim activities of Chennai coastal a. Marina beach b.Tiruvottiyur

Figure 10: Tourism map on Chennai coastal



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Figure 11: The picture was taken in Chennai coastal region during field investigations. It shows the comparison of same area in two different times. a) In 2008, the bridge construction on Pulicat Lake. b) Anthropogenic activity (Bridge construction) resulting in the erosion along Pulicat Lake (2010). C & d) represents the Ennore coast were in 2008 we can see the vegetation cover and the open coast while in 2010 there is more of anthropogenic activity.

A view of the field observations confirm that heavily polluted from the Chennai coastal and the coastal protection was immediately taken up some remedial measures is as follows. First, it consists of design of groins, seawalls, jetties, offshore breakwaters and artificial beach nourishments, these remedies to reduce from the beach erosion problems. The coastal protection will be prepared to plan from plantation, mangroves. More awareness from the people to participants to clean up and social mobilization should to take to prevent from the coastal environment. The public people and government should plan to protect the Chennai coast from the rapid changes of its nature. Proper treatment facilities should be there for treating the residential zone waste materials and toxic waste.

4. Conclusions

Satellite remote sensing and GIS is a powerful tool for mapping and evaluating the landuse/land cover changes in coastal environment. The Chennai coastal zone changes during the past 10 years mainly due to the population growth, commercial and industrial activities. The map shows the major changes in the coastal landforms i.e. increase in builtup land, industries and in other hand cropland, forest area is decreased. Waterlogged area has been decreased due to anthropogenic activities. Field observation also proves that drastic change in the Chennai coastal zone because of commercial, industrial and



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entertainment tourism activities. The study suggests some remedial measures to protect the Chennai coastal environment changes. Proper coastal zone rules should be strictly implemented to protect the construction and other related activities near to the coast. Proper mitigation plan should be implemented for protecting the coast from the erosion. More awareness should be given about the importance of the coastal ecology to touristers.

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