Monitoring forest dynamics and landslide susceptibility in Mechi–Balason interfluves of Darjiling Himalaya, West Bengal using forest canopy density model (FCDM) and Landslide Susceptibility Index model (LSIM)

Abstract

Mapping and monitoring of forest extent is a common requirement of regional forest inventories and public land natural resource management in India. The present study involves the assessment of forest dynamicity using forest canopy density model and the preparation of Landslide Susceptibility Index map using Landslide Susceptibility Index model in Mechi–Balason interfluves of Mirik Block of Darjiling Himalaya to find out the relationship between areal coverage of the forest and landslides. The forest canopy density model and forest pattern map of the study was prepared considering different forest parameter such as Bareness Index, Scaled Shadow Index, NDVI, fractional vegetation cover and forest canopy density on GIS platform. All these parameter were integrated applying Multi Criteria Decision Making Approach and Rank Sum Method to develop regeneration, degeneration and unchanged forest area map of the study area. Finally this forest map was incorporated with landslide susceptibility value to draw a conclusion about the role of forest cover in landslide. It is found that the Landslide Susceptibility Index value is higher in the degenerated portion of the forest and LSI is lower in the regenerated portion of the forest. So it can be concluded that landslide can be one of the major factor of forest dynamicity apart from this the other natural and anthropogenic factors may responsible for the forest dynamicity of the study area.