Spatio- temporal change in river course Yamuna and its enabling factors: A study of Trans-Yamuna Region, Delhi, India.

Abstract This paper investigates the spatio-temporal changes in the course of the River Yamuna in Trans- Yamuna region, National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The study elaborates the major factors affecting course of the river Yamuna. Urbanisation is the most important factor that affects the flow of rivers in urban areas along with natural factors such as rainfall, geology, and floods. LANDSAT MSS, ETM, OLI and TIRS satellite imageries from 1977, 1989, 2002 and 2017 respectively were considered to demarcate the chronological land use/ land cover change (LULC) and eventually in the river course. The river alignment change examination and sinuosity index were conducted to understand the river course change, and this implies that river Yamuna is sinuous in nature. It was found that with the time there are two identified pockets where river has experienced major change in its course. The Trans-Yamuna region has undergone significant changes during the study period. Substantial upsurge in built- land use category has its own impact on the land use dynamics and urban development. Therefore, the study necessitates the study of the river morphology dynamics and thereby urging policymakers to integrate factors impacting the river course change to achieve sustainable urban development.