Decadal Vegetation and Land Use Dynamics in Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary

Abstract

in Maharashtra's Western Ghats spanning 130.78 km², supports endangered species such as the Malabar giant squirrel and provides vital watershed functions across ecosystems ranging from evergreen forests to grasslands. This study examines decadal vegetation and land-use dynamics from 2014 to 2024 using MODIS NDVI (MOD13Q1, 250 m) and NDWI time-series alongside high-resolution Landsat 8/Sentinel-2 classifications to track vegetation health, moisture availability, and land-cover change. Analysis revealed a 9.7% mean NDVI decline (0.62 to 0.56), with edge zones showing 15–20% drops against stable core forests (NDVI > 0.7), linked to seasonal cycles and drought acceleration in 2019–2020. NDWI decreased by 20% (0.35 to 0.28), amplifying dry-season deficits by 25% and signalling hydrological stress. Land-use shifts included 6.4% forest loss, offset by 41.7% cropland expansion and 40% settlement growth in the northern and eastern buffers since 2020. These findings highlight edge degradation driven by anthropogenic pressure and climate feedbacks, threatening habitat connectivity. We recommend 500 m buffer protections, native reforestation, water-recharge structures, and integrated satellite–ground monitoring for adaptive conservation.