Abstract:
This study examines Islamabad’s landscape changes over four decades, attributing land degradation to shifts in land use and cover. Using
Landsat imagery from 1980 to 2023, it analyzes urban growth in five categories. By employing the normalized difference vegetation index
(NDVI) and normalized difference built-up index (NDBI), it notes built-up areas expanding to 61% by 2023, agricultural land contraction,
and fluctuating forest cover. Water bodies and bare land decrease significantly. With high accuracy values, NDVI fluctuates from þ0.4523
in 1980 to þ0.1596 in 2010, rebounding to þ0.4422. Fluctuations in barren soil, vegetation, and built-up areas potentially contribute to temp
erature and rainfall changes. The study explores LULC and land surface temperature correlation. Surveyed respondents (755) express
concerns about environmental changes, anticipating reduced rainfall and increased drought. Valuable for sustainable development goals,
the study informs policy formulation for effective urban planning and land use control.
