STUDY ON LAND USE AND BIODIVERSITY OF SONADIA USING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS

The present paper deals with the investigation of the land use and biodiversity of Sonadia, Moheshkhali. It is rich in plant and animal diversity. The main objective of this study is to make a land use map of the study area showing the various land utilization including plant and animal diversity. In this study combined remote sensing and field survey system have been used to find the mangrove plantation cover change, shrimp farm, fishery, turtle habitats, human habitats and birds. The study shows that the total land area is about nine square kilometer where about 2000 people live. The mangrove plantation had been raised long time ago in this area and about 2629 hectare is physically available now. Long sand bars have been developed at the south eastern side of Sonadia. It is the abode of birds, fish, mollusk and turtles. The beach and the shallow soil surrounding the site provide an excellent staging and winter ground for migratory water fowl and other shore birds. Red crabs always roam in the area. About forty thousand birds have been estimated by different national and international survey teams. More than 70 species of migratory and shore birds visit the area for resting, feeding, nesting and wintering. The paper has presented a land use map of the study area which could be used for development planning of the study area. A bird sanctuary has been suggested to be establish in Moheshkhali for the conservation of biodiversity.