Comparative analysis of normalized difference index for assessing urbanization, forest degradation, and water body changes: A case study of Sylhet and Gazipur districts, Bangladesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63697/jeshs.2026.10078Keywords:
Urbanization, Forest degradation, Water body changes, Land cover changes, BangladeshAbstract
Bangladesh has experienced rapid urbanization in recent years, leading to significant ecological changes. This study examines land cover variations in Sylhet and Gazipur districts, with an emphasis on vegetation, urbanization, and water bodies, to assess the environmental impacts of urban development, including decreased vegetation. Remote sensing data from 2004 to 2024 were analyzed using Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify long-term changes through the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). The seasonal variations were highlighted through separate examinations of the data. The outcomes revealed different trajectories for the two districts. NDVI analysis indicates contrasting vegetation dynamics between the two districts. In Sylhet, winter NDVI declined by 9.05% over the 2004–2024 period, while summer NDVI increased by 11.52%, reflecting seasonal growth variability but ecological sensitivity. In contrast, Gazipur recorded modest vegetation gains (5.25% in winter and 0.32% in summer), suggesting limited recovery amid developmental pressures. NDBI trends reveal substantially stronger urban expansion in Gazipur, where built-up intensity increased by 59.7% in winter and 16.33% in summer, compared to seasonal declines in Sylhet (10.21% in winter and 31.67% in summer). Water body dynamics further highlight divergence: Sylhet experienced marked NDWI reductions (41.39% in winter and 21.43% in summer), whereas Gazipur showed seasonal instability, with a 12.31% winter increase but a sharp 34.3% summer decline. Overall, Sylhet appears less urbanized but hydrologically vulnerable, while Gazipur demonstrates pronounced urban-driven ecological strain. These findings demonstrate the urgent need for sustainable planning through planned reforestation, green space conservation, and effective water resource management, among other measures, to minimize ecological degradation.
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