Assessment of large-scale deforestation in Sonitpur district of Assam

The study highlights the deforestation and encroachment in the moist deciduous and other forest areas in Sonitpur District of Assam. The time series analysis of satellite imagery Was carried out. Satellite images of 1994, 1999 and 2001 and intensive ground truthing were used for forest type mapping and change detection. Alarming rate of conversion of well-stocked forests into cultivable land was noticed. The spatial distribution of forests showed progressive decline from 1994 to 2001 through 1999. The loss of forest cover was more pronounced between 1999 and 2001 than between 1994 and 1999. This coincides with increased levels of insurgency in lower Assam. An overall loss of 232.19 km(2) of forests was noticed in the Sonitpur District between 1994 and 2001. The study demonstrates unique potential of remote sensing and geographical information system for forest cover assessment and monitoring.