Patna: Gaya town has witnessed a 58% reduction in its agricultural land area in the last two decades, even as green cover have has increased significantly, according to a recent study conducted by a team of researchers from Central University of South Bihar (CUSB). “There has been a 58% reduction in the agricultural land between 2000 and 2022, primarily due to urbanisation and expansion of built-up areas. The agricultural land in Gaya was 1,908 hectares in 2000, which reduced to 810 hectares by 2022,” says the study, conducted by CUSB economics teacher Firdaus Fatima Rizwi, in association with Alok Kumar Dubey and Akash Tiwari. The study, conducted using GIS and remote sensing techniques, utilised CA-Markov model, which will predict changes in land use till 2030. The study adds that if the current trend of urbanisation continues, it is estimated that the the agricultural land will further decrease by 19% to only 657 hectares by 2030, posing a serious threat to Gaya’s food security and environmental balance. Subsequently, a significant increase in the built-up area has been observed, from 1,543 hectares in 2000 to 2,560 hectares in 2022. The trend is likely to continue, and the built-up area is expected to reach 2,580 hectares 2030. However, the study has noted an increase in forest area due to govt’s water conservation and afforestation programmes, even as revealing over 16% decline in water bodies (ponds and rivers). The forest area was 255 hectares in 2000, which increased to 694 hectares by 2022. It is estimated that this area could further increase to 726 hectares by 2030. The study further reveals that there was 913 hectares of barren land in year 2000, which decreased to 580 hectares by 2022, but there is a possibility of an increase in barren land again by 2030, indicating the impact of climate change and uncertain pattern of rainfall. The study suggests that the govt should implement strict policies to control urban expansion of the town, because of which agricultural land is rapidly being converted into land for residential, industrial and commercial use, affecting local food production. Without the rigorous enforcement of land use planning and conservation policies, it will be challenging task to protect agricultural land in Gaya city, the study adds. Patna: Gaya town has witnessed a 58% reduction in its agricultural land area in the last two decades, even as green cover have has increased significantly, according to a recent study conducted by a team of researchers from Central University of South Bihar (CUSB). “There has been a 58% reduction in the agricultural land between 2000 and 2022, primarily due to urbanisation and expansion of built-up areas. The agricultural land in Gaya was 1,908 hectares in 2000, which reduced to 810 hectares by 2022,” says the study, conducted by CUSB economics teacher Firdaus Fatima Rizwi, in association with Alok Kumar Dubey and Akash Tiwari. The study, conducted using GIS and remote sensing techniques, utilised CA-Markov model, which will predict changes in land use till 2030. The study adds that if the current trend of urbanisation continues, it is estimated that the the agricultural land will further decrease by 19% to only 657 hectares by 2030, posing a serious threat to Gaya’s food security and environmental balance. Subsequently, a significant increase in the built-up area has been observed, from 1,543 hectares in 2000 to 2,560 hectares in 2022. The trend is likely to continue, and the built-up area is expected to reach 2,580 hectares 2030. However, the study has noted an increase in forest area due to govt’s water conservation and afforestation programmes, even as revealing over 16% decline in water bodies (ponds and rivers). The forest area was 255 hectares in 2000, which increased to 694 hectares by 2022. It is estimated that this area could further increase to 726 hectares by 2030. The study further reveals that there was 913 hectares of barren land in year 2000, which decreased to 580 hectares by 2022, but there is a possibility of an increase in barren land again by 2030, indicating the impact of climate change and uncertain pattern of rainfall. The study suggests that the govt should implement strict policies to control urban expansion of the town, because of which agricultural land is rapidly being converted into land for residential, industrial and commercial use, affecting local food production. Without the rigorous enforcement of land use planning and conservation policies, it will be challenging task to protect agricultural land in Gaya city, the study adds.
