Peri urban transformation and its impact on environment: A case of Coimbatore

Abstract

As the level of urbanisation increases, the city grows beyond the city's municipal boundary. In addition, it occupies the peri-urban area. Already, peri urban areas are bearing the ecological footprint of urban areas, both in-terms of providing resources as well as receiving waste in return. Rural and urban areas are often juxtaposed with each other, but peri urban is a critical area that possesses both characteristics. Worldwide, an estimated 52 percent of agricultural land is moderately or severely degraded, with approximately 2 billion hectares severely degraded, perhaps irreversible (FAO). Land degradation lowers productivity and food security, disrupts essential ecosystem services, and has a negative impact on biodiversity, water resources, carbon emissions, and climate change susceptibility. According to studies, 1.5 billion people are directly affected by land degradation around the world. Coimbatore is the third largest city in the state with the highest forest area. It is also well known for industrial hubs, automobiles, and educational facilities that act as catalysts for urban extension, which ruin the natural resources. There is a significant amount of sprawl on the fringes of Coimbatore, which leads to the loss of forest cover and agricultural area. The reasons for green cover loss are heterogenous and can be analysed from the temporal changes of various factors like soil quality, availability of water, change in occupation pattern, change in land use, etc. Reclaiming degraded lands will require a strict land-use policy. Hence, it is necessary to take the necessary steps in advance. The intention of the research is to predict the growth direction. determining the negative influence of urban sprawl on green cover and developing methods for assessing the loss of green cover.