Evolving Land Use Dynamics and Settlement Morphology: A Case Study of Uppalapadu Village, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

This research examines changes in land use and settlement patterns in Uppalapadu, a peri-urban village in the Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, India, with a bird sanctuary and fertile agricultural lands. Despite having been earmarked for development, issues such as ineffective development control, the lack of requisite infrastructure, and ecological fragility exist because of the perpetual proximity to the urban centers of Amaravati and Guntur. The research drew on satellite images (2007-2022), land use surveys, interviews with stakeholders from various sectors, and spatial analysis. The major findings regarding land cover change point to a relatively small increase in built-up areas ( which is consistent with the gradual shift from rural to urban), a strong tendency to maintain, without major change, agricultural lands, and with little change in the quantity and condition of water bodies. The findings suggest that real estate development has stalled, growth in dependence on agriculture is still supported by small and marginal farmers, ecological resources continue to wear under the demands of pollution and ineffective waste disposal, and the marginal improvement of ecology is a function of continued environmental degradation. The findings further suggest that planned infrastructure development, ecological zoning, and facilitating eco-tourism can provide a form of balance between economic growth, sector development, and conservation in the transitional rural landscape.

Introduction

Uppalapadu village in Pedakakani Mandal, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, spans 1659.8 hectares and lies at a critical rural–peri-urban interface due to its proximity to Guntur city and the Vijayawada–Chennai highway. The village is ecologically significant because of its well-known bird sanctuary, home to over 40 migratory bird species including painted storks and pelicans, contributing to biodiversity and eco-tourism potential. Despite this ecological value, Uppalapadu remains predominantly agrarian, with about 85% of land used for agriculture—mainly paddy cultivation in the Kharif season.

Land use change has been slow. Built-up area increased only slightly from 70.08 ha (2007) to 72.43 ha (2022), indicating limited urbanisation despite pressure from expanding nearby cities. Government lands are small, fragmented, and mostly situated along canals or waterbodies, restricting development options. The village faces several challenges typical of peri-urban regions—poor infrastructure, weak waste management, waterbody degradation, and lack of planning controls to protect the bird sanctuary.

The literature highlights that rural India is experiencing rapid land-use transitions influenced by urban expansion, infrastructure projects, and policy changes. However, decentralised planning mechanisms have not kept pace, resulting in fragmented ownership and unpredictable land conversion. Remote sensing and GIS remain essential tools for monitoring such changes.

Methodologically, the study uses land-use surveys, stakeholder inputs, and spatial analysis to map the 2022 land use and identify key planning issues. Agriculture still dominates (1482.26 ha), while built-up areas remain limited and low density. Residential use forms the majority of built-up land (59%), with minimal commercial and industrial presence, highlighting limited local economic diversification. DEM analysis shows the village has a flat terrain with gentle slopes, suitable for agriculture but requiring careful planning for drainage and flood mitigation.

Temporal satellite analysis (2004–2021) reveals gradual peri-urban transformation, particularly near the bird sanctuary and transport corridors. However, agricultural and ecological areas largely persist. LULC analysis (2016–2022) indicates agricultural intensification and reduced barren land, while built-up area grew only marginally.

Agriculture remains the core livelihood, with 86.9% of land under irrigation and paddy dominating cultivation. The farming population is highly fragmented—99% are small and marginal farmers, underscoring the need for targeted support and infrastructure. Stakeholder perspectives show limited industrial or commercial activity, partial dependence on urban jobs, and continued reliance on traditional agriculture.

SWOC analysis identifies major strengths such as biodiversity, strong irrigation networks, and eco-tourism potential. Weaknesses include poor water quality, lack of sanitation and waste systems, insufficient public services, and fragile ecological governance. Opportunities lie in eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and planned infrastructure development. Threats include human–wildlife conflict, unregulated growth, and environmental degradation.

Overall, Uppalapadu is a village experiencing slow but steady peri-urban transition. Strategic land-use planning is essential to balance ecological protection, agricultural livelihoods, and sustainable growth while safeguarding the internationally recognized bird sanctuary.

Conclusion

Examining the situation of Uppalapadu village brings to the fore urgent environmental, infrastructural, and socio-economic problems that constrain the village from advancing. The polluted lake water that is used for drinking and other household needs has dire health effects, especially compounded by open drainage and unscientific disposal of waste. The village is predominantly agrarian, and the lack of industries, markets, and financial systems to enable crop diversity has limited economic development and infrastructure activities. The healthcare services in the village are rudimentary and require immediate attention. Although there are some forms of activism that have sought to protect the Uppalapadu bird sanctuary, there are no official plans to improve or protect it as an eco-tourism site. This limits the eco-tourism possibilities for the village. The village population decline has also halted the CRDA\'s development plans. In spite of these issues, the village has viable opportunities to become sustainable by improving environmental protection, health services, eco-tourism, and basic infrastructure. However, coordinated action by the government and community members is crucial for planning and implementing actions leading the village into an independent economy that will ensure the village maintains its cultural history and ecological values.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Tejaswi N H . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.