Land-Use Change between 1978 and 1990 in Dhankuta District, Koshi Hills, Eastern Nepal

Land-use change over a 12-year period was investigated for a pilot area of 200 km2 of the Middle Mountain zone in Dhankuta District. The studies were based on interpretation of air photographs taken in 1978 and 1990 and field checks on a sample of 13 sites of 300 ha each, representing a 20% sample. Six categories were mapped: agriculture (7 sub-categories); abandoned farmland; forest (7 sub-categories); grazing; shrub; and other (such as landslides, urban, and water). Separate measurements were made of crown cover of trees within arable lands. Population changes were estimated by house counts on the air photographs. The results indicated a stability in land use, despite an estimated 19% increase in population. No statistically significant changes in overall land use were detected but considerable internal trading occurred between categories within sample areas, especially between ''forest'' and ''shrub,'' demonstrating a fluidity of land use. Total forest cover increased from 36.5% of the sample area in 1978 to 38.8% in 1990. Forest land increased by 34%, indicating a significant improvement in on-farm fodder, fuelwood, and fruit tree resources. Landslide areas increased from 1.0% of the total sample in 1978 to 1.9% in 1990. The method developed proved to be rapid and sufficiently accurate for determining farm-level land-use changes in steeply dissected mountain terrain.