ACCOUNTING OF NATURAL CAPITAL IN CUDDALORE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, INDIA USING GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

This study presents an accounting of Natural assets and its changes in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India, utilizing Geospatial Technology. The objective is to understand the patterns and implications of Natural assets transformations driven by urbanization and environmental factors over the period from 2017 to 2022. Employing remote sensing data from Landsat OLI 8 & 9, the research implements advanced techniques, including noise reduction, geometric rectification, pan sharpening, and supervised classification using the Maximum Likelihood Classifier (MLC). The analysis is further strengthened by accuracy assessments based on field-observed GPS data.Key findings reveal a marked decrease in bare land and water bodies, expansion of built-up areas, and significant fluctuations in cropland, dense vegetation, and mining areas. This study also includes a Pearson’s Correlation Analysis, highlighting the interplay between built-up areas and other Natural Capitals. These changes underscore the impact of rapid urbanization and highlight the need for effective land management and Natural assets protection strategies.This research contributes to the understanding of regional environmental dynamics and offers valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and environmentalists. It emphasizes the critical role of geospatial technology in Accounting and analyzingof Natural Capital and its changes, providing a framework for sustainable development and environmental conservation in rapidly urbanizing regions.

Keywords: Land Use and Land Cover, Landsat 8 and 9 OLI, GIS, Pearson’s Correlation