ASSESSMENT OF SPATIO-TEMPORAL WATERLINE CHANGES OF A RESERVOIR: A CASE STUDY OF UJJANI WETLAND, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA.

The Ujjani reservoir is an artificial inland wetland and a potential Ramsar site in Maharashtra, India. The present study investigates the changes in the surface water area over time using remote sensing imageries (LANDSAT, LISS-III, Sentinel 2 series) for four decades (1981 to 2021) and the normalized difference water index (NDWI). The study reveals that the overall mean amount and rate of decrease the surface water area are estimated at 20.50% (44.31 + 30.38 sq. km) and 0.75% year-1 (1.62 + sq. km year-1), respectively. Furthermore, multiple correlation matrix analysis shows a strong positive correlation between surface water area and rainfall while a weak negative correlation with mean annual temperature (T_MAX). Thus, indicating rainfall as the principal factor in inducing changes to the surface water area of the Ujjani wetland. However, the study also finds that the impact of the dramatic in population growth and anthropogenic activities in the form of overexploitation of water and encroachments for agriculture are gradual but significant cursors to wetland degradation. Hence, study recommends periodic monitoring, management, and conservation of wetlands, by employing stringent policies and effective technological measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]