Authors: Assistant Professor Dr. Ritu Jain, Himanshu Kasaudhan
Abstract: The Northeastern region of India, comprising the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura, represents a critical ecological zone within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. This area is home to a vast range of endemic and threatened species and features one of the highest levels of biological diversity in India. However, rapid deforestation caused by anthropogenic pressures—such as shifting cultivation (jhum), illegal logging, infrastructure expansion, and population growth—has led to severe ecological degradation. This chapter explores how Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been employed to monitor forest cover changes and assess their impact on biodiversity. Through the use of satellite imagery, spatial analysis, biodiversity indices, and ecological modeling, this study highlights the extent, patterns, and consequences of deforestation on flora and fauna. The chapter concludes by offering conservation strategies and policy recommendations grounded in geospatial data and ecological science.
