Conclusion
This study has assessed LULC changes in the capital city of Islamabad,
Pakistan using remote sensing data. Islamabad was found to have
experienced rapid changes in LULC in 40 years, particularly significant
change in built-up areas. Analysis revealed that from 1976 to 2019,
build-up land (residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure)
increased from 10.7% to 52.4%, agriculture land increased from 14.3%
in 1979 to 19.5% to 2019. Simultaneously, there was a decline in the
forest and barren land category, in 1979 forest and barren was 19.3%
and 53.9% respectively whereas, in 1979 forest and barren land was
10.3%, and 17.1% respectively. The decrease in the water bodies was
significant, the city water bodies have negatively declined by -1.21 in
40 years. This trend of LULC indicates haphazard expansion of built-up
and agriculture area was mainly due to lack of proper management,
unchecked growth in population size, no EIA for land development, such
as extension of road networks, residential and commercial development
and a number of allied reasons. Urban growth. Hence, all these
alterations in the landscape will become more fragmented and
environmental problems will adversely affect the functioning of
ecosystem services if the historical pattern of LULC is maintained. The
rapid and massive conversion of built-up area may have serious impacts
on natural environment. Therefore, proper environmental management plans
should be implemented and conserve valuable natural resources for the
sustainable urban planning and management. The findings of the study
would provide an input to policy makers to understanding the LULC change
scenarios and formulating an effective and eco-friendly land use policy
in the capital city of Islamabad Pakistan.