Assessing the impact of climate change and the environmental degradation: a case study on paschim medinipur, West Bengal

Climate change is recognized as a global crisis, marked by rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and frequent extreme events such as cyclones, floods, and droughts, all of which accelerate environmental degradation and threaten ecosystems and livelihoods. In Paschim Medinipur, a district with both sub-humid and tropical climates, spectral indices and machine learning were applied to satellite data across different seasons to assess land use and land cover changes. Findings revealed rapid urbanization, deforestation, and conversion of agricultural land into industrial and settlement areas, with low-lying terrains near non-perennial rivers facing the greatest vulnerability. Elevation was identified as a key factor in settlement pressure, while vegetation loss, soil degradation, and water logging were observed as recurring issues. The study predicts that degradation will intensify under modern livelihood patterns, leaving low-lying communities highly exposed to natural hazards. These results highlight the importance of district-level studies in supporting effective mitigation strategies aligned with UNFCCC guidelines.