Rural land transformation in the periphery of Jalandhar city a case study of the Jalandhar Phagwara NH 1 using geospatial technology

Abstract

Rural land transformation has become a top research priority in the developing countries. This research, focusing on land transformation in the periphery of Jalandhar in Punjab, adds to the discourse on rural land use change. It is an assessment of the magnitude, intensity, and direction of rural land transformation, its spatial implications, and driving factors over a period of three decades from 1991 to 2021. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods using primary as well as secondary data. The quantitative assessment includes analysis of satellite imagery and qualitative assessment includes interviews and focus group discussions. Spatial patterns of Jalandhar periphery were evaluated for seven land-use and land-cover classes. Additionally, a case study on the spatial implications of roads and highways construction on Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway-1 (now NH44) was carried out. The analyses show that significant changes in land use have occurred over three decades with vegetation and agriculture witnessing a decline of 82 and 18 per cent respectively, and built-up area showing three-fold increase. Most of the transformation occurred along the national highway, involving vast areas of fertile farmland. Bio-physical, socio-economic, and public-private factors such as road and infrastructure development, population growth, and government policies have played a vital role in driving transformation. Farmers and other stakeholders expressed concern over the loss of agricultural land, while also counting the benefits of development, employment, and connectivity. Rural-urban linkages and socio-economic impacts of such land use change need to be modelled, and more such studies can help in better city planning. newline