A Statistical Approach to Urban Sprawling using RS & GIS - A Case Study of East District, Sikkim

Rapid and unplanned industrialization along the low lying regions of East Sikkim has marked an irreversible adverse impact on the ecological, hydrological and geographical attributes. Urban sprawling leading to escalated encroachment is one of the prime factors contributing extensively to the changes environmental attributes are subjected to. It is therefore important to evaluate land coverage and utilization pattern so as to enable agencies to plan efficient mitigation strategies to contain its effect. Urban sprawling may be due to various factors such as inception of industrialization, ease of transportation and availability water sources etc. The present study focuses on nature and pattern of sprawling linear as well as radial in east district of the state Sikkim by identifying the influential parameters responsible for it and to identify the locations subject to maximum changes and to devices method for forecasting direction of sprawling.