Land-use and land-cover change and future implication analysis in Manas National Park, India using multi-temporal satellite data

The Manas National Park is an important conservation area in the Bhabhar and flood plain ecosystem of Northeast India. Satellite imageries of 1977, 1998 and 2006 were analysed to detect the change in habitat types with the help of remote sensing and geographic information system tools. Results indicate landscape-level changes in the vegetation and overall habitat quality within the Park. There is a substantial increase in savannah grassland (74.6%) accompanied by decline in alluvial grasslands (46.8%) from 1977 to 2006. A total of 20.47 km(2) has also been encroached during this period. Water sources in the Park have declined and there has been a significant shift towards a drier and woodland type of vegetation. These land-use changes were a result of non-implementation of habitat management/manipulation activities that are a prerequisite for supporting viable populations of specific endangered animal species in a given Protected Area. In this communication, we recommend a set of habitat Management activities for restoration of key habitats in Manas.