Wastelands of Mizoram - Lunglei district

The “Report on Wastelands of Mizoram – Lunglei District” was prepared under the National Wastelands Atlas Updation Programme, a nationwide initiative coordinated by the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Department of Space, Government of India, and implemented in Mizoram by the Mizoram State Remote Sensing Centre (MSRSC). The project aimed to update the inventory of wastelands using satellite remote sensing and GIS technologies, evaluate changes in land degradation patterns over time, and generate a reliable geospatial database to support land reclamation, environmental management, and sustainable development planning. The study forms part of a broader state-wide effort to monitor the status of degraded lands and assess the impacts of prevailing land-use practices on Mizoram’s fragile hill ecosystems.

The study covers the entire Lunglei District, occupying approximately 4,538 sq. km, which constitutes about 21.52% of the total geographical area of Mizoram, making it one of the largest districts in the state. Characterized by rugged hill ranges, steep slopes, high rainfall, and extensive forest cover, the district experiences significant pressure from traditional shifting cultivation practices. The region receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 2,817 mm, and its terrain is dominated by deeply dissected hill systems separated by narrow valleys and perennial river networks.

The primary objective of the project was to identify, classify, and quantify wasteland categories using satellite imagery and GIS-based interpretation and to assess changes in wasteland extent between 1995 and 2003. Particular emphasis was placed on land degradation associated with current shifting cultivation (current jhum), abandoned shifting cultivation areas, degraded notified forest lands, and current jhum occurring within notified forest areas. These categories were mapped and analyzed at both district and watershed levels to understand the spatial dynamics of land degradation.

The findings indicate that wastelands accounted for approximately 21.26% of the district’s geographical area in 2003, representing a substantial increase from 16.19% recorded in 1995. The total wasteland extent increased from about 734.80 sq. km to 964.85 sq. km, reflecting a net increase of 5.07% of the district area over the eight-year period. Shifting cultivation emerged as the dominant driver of land degradation, with current jhum covering approximately 300.03 sq. km (6.61%) and abandoned jhum occupying about 596.64 sq. km (13.15%) of the district area. The study also identified 48.20 sq. km (1.06%) of degraded notified forest land and 19.99 sq. km (0.44%) of current jhum cultivation occurring within notified forest areas, highlighting continued pressure on protected forest resources.

A notable observation of the study is the strong correlation between increasing wasteland extent and the persistence of shifting cultivation, particularly in watersheds experiencing shortened fallow cycles. The report documents how repeated clearing of forest vegetation has transformed large tracts of primary forest into secondary bamboo-dominated vegetation and degraded landscapes. Consequences include increased soil erosion, nutrient depletion, sedimentation of rivers, and declining ecological productivity. At the same time, the study identifies localized success stories where wasteland areas have decreased due to forest plantation programmes and the conversion of degraded lands into permanent horticultural and agricultural systems.

Overall, the project provides a comprehensive geospatial assessment of land degradation in Lunglei District and establishes an important baseline for future monitoring and planning. The findings offer valuable guidance for policymakers, planners, and development agencies in prioritizing interventions related to afforestation, agroforestry, watershed management, sustainable agriculture, and ecological restoration, while also demonstrating the effectiveness of remote sensing and GIS technologies in supporting evidence-based land resource management in Mizoram.

Summarized Metadata

Mapping Scale: 1:50,000

Satellite data & Year: IRS 1D LISS III, February 2003

Thematic sub-category: Wasteland, Spatial Planning 

Collaborating/Funding Agency: National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad

Report Publication Month/Year: December, 2004