Assessment of Land Use/Land Cover Change in Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Kashmir

Abstract

The human interference and modification of landscape has occurred globally but has increased incidence and consequences in the developing countries mostly due the population growth, fragility of landscape and unplanned development. The aim of the study is to detect the land use changes between 1990-2010 using satellite images of IRS-IC LISS-III (2010) and LANDSAT TM (1990) and SOI topographic maps. During the 20 years all the three sites have shown major land use changes. Among these, site I has undergone positive changes into Cropland 46 ha (14.64%), Horticulture land 12 ha (3.82%), Built-up 2 ha (0.63%) while, the areas of site II has shown an alarming decrease in pasture land with 7 ha (2.22%), Sparse forest land 12 ha (3.82%). However, the site III has shown a remarkable decrease in the area of Dense forest land 56 ha (17.82%), water bodies 5 ha (1.59%) as well as depicts marked increase in the area of Scrub land 136 ha (43.31%), Pasture land 65 ha (20.70%). These changes have clearly established that the Hirpura wildlife sanctuary is under an imminent threat to its very existence. Thus, it becomes imperative that the government should prepare working plans for its conservation which has not taken yet.

Diet Diversity and Dietary Overlap of Two Sympatric Vulture Species in Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Kashmir

“…The area is known for its rich floral and faunal diversity. The vegetation is divided into subalpine pastures, deciduous subalpine scrub forest and mixed coniferous forests (Ahmad et al 2011;Ahmad et al 2015). The main faunal elements include-Capra falconeri, Moschus leucogaster, Vulpes vulpes, Gyps himalayensis and Gypaetus barbatus (Wani et al 2020b).…”

Insect Community of Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary (Shopian), Jammu and Kashmir, India

“…The southern and southeastern portions are moderately steep. This sanctuary was established in 1987 and its total area is 341.25 km 2 , beautified by forests, pastures, scrub land, waste land and water bodies [11]. Although Flora and Fauna of Hirpora Wild life Sanctuary has been studied but no survey or study has been undertaken so far on the insect fauna of Hirpora wildlife sanctuary.…”

Assessment of Traffic-Generated Gaseous and Particulate Matter Emissions of Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary (Shopian), Jammu and Kashmir, India

“…It is bounded to the north by Lake Gumsar, northeast by Hirpora village, to the east by Rupri, to the south by Saransar and to the west by the Pir Panjal pass. This sanctuary was established in 1987 and its total area is 341.25km 2 , beautified by forests, pastures, scrub land, waste land and water bodies [5]. The climatic conditions of the Hirpora are somehow different from Kashmir valley.…”