American International Journal of

Research in Humanities, Arts

and Social Sciences

Available online at http://www.iasir.net

ISSN (Print): 2328-3734, ISSN (Online): 2328-3696, ISSN (CD-ROM): 2328-3688

AIJRHASS is a refereed, indexed, peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary and open access journal published by
International Association of Scientific Innovation and Research (IASIR), USA
(An Association Unifying the Sciences, Engineering, and Applied Research)

Analysis of Urban Land Use Changes: A Case Study of Sonipat City in

Haryana, India
Dr. Sneh Sangwan1 Balwan Singh2 Mahima3 Kuldeep Singh Suhag4
Associate Professor, Department of Geography, BPS Institute of Higher Learning,
Khanpur Kalan (Sonipat), Haryana, India
2
Asst. Prof., Department of Geography, Govt. College, Matak Majri, Haryana, India
3
Asst. Prof., Department of Geography, Jat College, Rohtak, Haryana, India
4
Asst. Prof., Department of Geography, Govt. College, Gharaunda, Haryana. India
1

Abstract: Analysis of land use/land cover change of Sonipat city within the last 20 years is observed in the
present study which represents the staged change in land use pattern. The change was based on satellite
imagery of Town Directory map 1991, LANDSAT TM Image 1989 and Google Earth Image 2002 and 2011,
toposheet at a scale of 1:50000. A number of factors such as socio-economic and political are responsible
for the economic development and land use changes. Study reveals that that city has experienced rapid
changes in land use, particularly in terms of unplanned residential area and agricultural land.
Key Words: Land Use/Land Cover, HUDA and Google Earth Image.
I.
Introduction
The land use/land cover pattern of a region is an outcome of natural and socio-economic factors and their
utilization by man in time and space. Land is becoming a scarce resource due to immense agricultural and
demographic pressure (Sundara, 2012). Land use change is one of the most important fields of human induced
environmental transformation, with an extensive history dating back to antiquity (Wolman and Fournier;
1987). Urbanization is the causes of land use changes. Urbanization is a gift to the human society if it is controlled, coordinated and planed. However, unplanned urbanization is a curse. In 2008 more than half of the
worlds population was urban dwellers and the urban population is expected to reach 81% by 2030 (UNPF;
2007). Due to the acceleration of the global urbanization in both intensity and area, there is a growing interest in
understanding its implications with respect to a broad set of environmental factors including loss of agricultural
and arable land decline in natural vegetation cover and climate at local, regional, and global level. The
conversion of rural areas into urban areas through development is currently occurring at an unprecedented rate
in recent human history and is having a marked effect on the natural functioning of ecosystems (Turner; 1994).
Since ecosystems in urban areas are strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities, considerably more attention
is currently being directed towards monitoring changes in urban land use/ land cover (Stow and Chen; 2002).
Land Use/land Cover change due to human activities is currently proceeding more quickly in developing
countries than in the developed world. Present time, changes in land use, especially in developing countries, has
involved a decrease in the area of rural land use and an increase in the area of urban land use through
urbanization (Dewan and Yamaguchi 2009). Geographic Information Systems within remote sensing have
been useful as powerful and cost-effective tools for detecting and analyzing the spatio-temporal dynamics of
processes and patterns of urban growth and land use/land cover change at local, regional, and global scales.
II.
Data Source and Methodology
The study is mainly based on secondary data. Erdas9.0 and Arc GIS 9.3 software have been used for the
preparation of different thematic layer at second level. High resolution satellite image is best appropriate for
mapping urban land use/land cover information on explanation of high geometric reliability, clearness of
objects, features in their true shape and size, better appropriate clarity within close proximity to the real world
(NUIS, 2008).
Table: 1 Land Use Classification of Sonipat, Municipal Corporation
. No.

Level I

Built-up Area

Level- II
Unplanned Residential Area
Planned Residential Area
Public & Semi-Public Area

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Sneh Sangwan et al., American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 5(2), December 2013-February
2014, pp. 218-223

Recreational Area
Commercial Area
Industrial Area
Plotted Area
2

Non Built-up Area

Open/Vacant Land
Plantation Area
Agricultural Land
Waste/Scrub land
Water Body

Source: Modified from NUIS Manual, 2008

Hence, town directory map of Sonipat city 1991 and satellite data has been used in this study which has been
downloaded from Google Earth, Pro, 2002 and 2011. Other spatial and non-spatial data also have been used for
present study which includes; Topographic sheet No. H43Q16, H43R4, H43W13 and H43X1 at scale of
1:50,000 (Survey of India, Dehradun) 2005-2006, Municipal Corporation map of Sonipat city 2011. The georeferenced municipal corporation boundary (2011) overlaid on the satellite data communicates the spatial extent
of the Sonipat city. Two level land use classification has been used in this study modified from NUIS manual,
2008 (Table 1). Google map was used for better analysis of visual interpretation and GPS survey was conduct
of doubtful points and accuracy evaluation.
III.
Study Area
Sonipat city came in the light as a District Headquarter in 1972 comprising the tehsils of Sonipat, Gohana and
Ganaur. Sonipat town is linked with Delhi, Uttar-Pradesh and Haryana with Rail and
Figure: 1 Location Map of Study Area

Road Links.The name of the Sonipat town was formed of the name of Raja Soni or a town called Swaran
Prastha during Mahabharta time. This city is conveniently linked with Delhi and Chandigarh by rail but the
interiors of Haryana by roads only. Sonipat town is located at a distance of 52 kilometers by road and 44
kilometers by rail from delhi. National Highway No.1 lies 8 kilometers away in the east from the main city. The

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Sneh Sangwan et al., American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 5(2), December 2013-February
2014, pp. 218-223

city is well linked with the National and State Capital by road and rail links. The city has also well connectivity
with the interior of the State as well as the neighboring state of Utter Pradesh
Objectives:

To analysis the land use change during 1991 -2011.

To identify the direction of urban growth.

Analyses of land use/land cover 1991
The total area of Sonipat city has been divided in twelve categories depending up to prevalent type of land uses
(Table: 1).The broad categorization into two types; built up and non built up has further been subdivided. In the
non built up categories agriculture, plantation, vacant, water bodies and waste/scrub land has been included. In
1991, agricultural land was a dominant land use i.e. 66.08 percent of the total study area followed by public
semipublic, industrial, planned residential, unplanned residential i.e. 5.13, 3.65, 1.27 and 20.47 percent
respectively. Water bodies have been recorded 0.31 percent on the form of ponds and water works. Commercial
area has been observed 1.35 percent followed by recreational area, waste/scrub land and plantation i.e. 0.21,
1.44 and 0.11 percent respectively (Figure 2 and Table 2).
Figure: 2 Land Use/Land Cover 1991

Source: Based on Town Directory Map 1991 and TM Image 1989

Table: 2 Areas under Different Land Use/ Land Cover in 1991
Sr. No.

1991

Land Use Categories

Area in Sq. m.

Area in Percent

Public and Semi Public Area

1692803.63

5.13

Industrial Area

1203824.32

3.65

Planned Residence Area

418547.26

1.27

Un Planned Residence Area

6760551.09

20.47

Water bodies

101117.66

0.31

Agricultural Land

21820417.99

66.08

Open/Vacant Land

-----

-----

Plotted Land

-----

-----

Commercial Area

444786.43

1.35

10

Recreational area

69644.42

0.21

11

Waste/Scrub Land

475856.38

1.44

12

Plantation

35811.9

0.11

33023361.08

100

Total

Source: Calculate from Town Directory Map 1991 and TM Image 1989

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Sneh Sangwan et al., American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 5(2), December 2013-February
2014, pp. 218-223

Analysis of Land use/Land Cover in 2002:

The land use/land cover map of 2002 shows major change which occur in the city during the period of 1991 to
2002. The significant change has observed and spread from central part towards the peripheral part of the city.
In 2002, agricultural land was recorded 39.05 percent of the study area. It was reduced 27.02 percent. It was
shifted agricultural to planned residential, unplanned residential, industrial area and public and semipublic
utilities during 1991 to 2002. Public and semipublic area has been recorded 6.04 percent whereas it was 5.13
percent in 1991. It was increased 0.91 percent during these periods. Industrial area has been observed 4.45
percent of total study area whereas it was 3.65 percent in 1991. It was increased 0.80 percent during 1991 to
2002. Planned residential area and unplanned residential area also increased 4.28 and 12.28 percent during 1991
to 2002. It was the impact of economic development and population pressure. Water bodies have been observed
0.25 percent in 2002 whereas it was 0.31 percent in 1991. It was reduced 0.6 percent. Open land and plotted
land has been recorded 0.02 and 7.44 percent of the total study area. Commercial area has been observed 1.78
percent while it was 1.35 percent in 1991. It was increased 0.43 percent within transport network. Recreational
area also increased 0.21 to 0.85 percent during these eleven years. Waste and scrub land increased due to
industrial activities i.e. 0.17 percent of the total area. Plantation has been observed 0.15 percent in 2002 whereas
it was 0.11 percent in 1991. It was increased due to planned development by Haryana Urban Development
Authority (Figure 3 and Table 3).
Figure: 2 Land Use/Land Cover 2002

Source: Based on Google Earth Image 2002

Table: 3 Areas under Different Land Use/ Land Cover in 2002
Sr. No.

2002

Land Use Categories

Area in Sq. m.

Area in Percent

Public and Semi Public Area

1994396.96

6.04

Industrial Area

1469467.16

4.45

Planned Residence Area

1830463.3

5.54

Un Planned Residence Area

10816789.02

32.75

Water bodies

82547.29

0.25

Agricultural Land

12896779.69

39.05

Open/Vacant Land

7438.04

0.02

Plotted Land

2458082.19

7.44

Commercial Area

586313.92

1.78

10

Recreational area

280132.71

0.85

11

Waste/Scrub Land

551986.15

1.67

12

Plantation

48964.65

0.15

33023361.08

100

Total

Source: Calculate from Google Earth Image 2002

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Sneh Sangwan et al., American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 5(2), December 2013-February
2014, pp. 218-223

Analysis of Land use/Land Cover in 2011:

In 2011, agricultural land has been recorded 32.55 percent of the total study area whereas it was 66.08 and 39.05
percent in 1991 and 2002. It was decreased due to urbanization and economic development. Unplanned
residential area has been emerged as a dominant land use category. It has been recorded 35.62 percent in 2011
whereas it was 20.47 and 32.75 percent in 1991 and 2002. It was the impact of migration of people from
adjoining villages to search of employment and good education.
Planned residential area has been observed 8.35 percent in 2011 whereas it was 1.27 and 5.54 percent in 1991
and 2002. It was increased due to Haryana Urban Development Authority on the cost of agriculture land. Water
bodies have been observed 0.31 percent in 2011 whereas it was 0.25 percent in 2002. It was increased 0.6
percent on the form of water works. In 2011, plotted land has been recorded 5.63 percent followed by
commercial area, recreational, waste/scrub land and plantation i.e. 0.94, 2.11 and 0.18 percent respectively.

Figure: 3 Land Use/Land Cover 2011

Table: 4 Areas under Different Land Use/ Land Cover in 2011
Sr. No.

2011

Land Use Categories

Area in Sq. m.

Area in Percent

Public and Semi Public Area

2465802.91

7.47

Industrial Area

1469467.16

4.45

Planned Residence Area

2756068.23

8.35

Un Planned Residence Area

11761512.83

35.62

Water bodies

Agricultural Land

7
8

101117.66

0.31

10749814.52

32.55

Open/Vacant Land

106725.77

0.32

Plotted Land

1860685.67

5.63

Commercial Area

682070.36

2.07

10

Recreational area

311567.16

0.94

11

Waste/Scrub Land

698164.62

2.11

12

Plantation

60364.19

0.18

33023361.08

100

Total

Source: Calculate from GeoEye Image 2011

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Sneh Sangwan et al., American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 5(2), December 2013-February
2014, pp. 218-223

IV.
Conclusion
Present study reveals multi-temporal remote sensing image interpretation and GIS spatial analysis to land
use/land cover change in Sonipat city during the 1991-2011. The result reveals that city has knowledgeable
rapid changes in land use categories, particularly in terms of unplanned residential area and agricultural land.
Unplanned residential area which is increased 20.47 to 35.62 percent over the past 20 years, resulting in a large
reduction in the area of agricultural land from 66.08 to 32.55 percent during the study period. Due to
development of Industries, education institutions, new residential complexes and good quality of transport
network has contributed the rapid urban development and land use changes in study area. Productive
agricultural land is changed into planned residential, unplanned residential, plotted land, public and semipublic
utilities, commercial and industrial uses.
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