Abstract

                                This study aims to assess the dynamic changes of land use pattern in Kerala for which panel data of land use pattern was used from 1970-71 to 2016-17. The collected data was analysed using Markov chain analysis. The transition probability matrix revealed that the area under miscellaneous tree crops and non-agricultural land had the highest retention probability which were 76% and 70% respectively while barren and uncultivable land and cultivable waste land were failed to retain their previous year’s area share. Estimated land use share during 2006-07 to 2015-16 revealed that the shift in land use pattern is in favour of barren and uncultivable land and fallow lands in recent years. The net sown area was found to be losing its shares. The projected share of land use pattern showed a drastic decline in the case of land under net sown area.

Key words : Dynamic changes, Land use pattern, Markov chain, Transition probability.