GIS-BASED ANALYSIS OF SACRED GROVES CONNECTIVITY AND FRAGMENTATION: LANDSCAPE CONNECTIVITY AND CORRIDOR IDENTIFICATION IN KHORDHA DISTRICT

Sacred groves represent culturally protected forest patches that play a crucial ecological role in fragmented landscapes. In Odisha, rapid land-use transformation due to urbanization, agricultureand infrastructure development has increasingly isolated these groves, threatening their ecological integrity. This study applies a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based approach to analyze the spatial distribution, connectivity, and fragmentation of sacred groves in Khordha District. Using remote sensing data, land-use/land-cover classification, and landscape metrics, the study evaluates the degree of isolation among sacred groves and identifies potential ecological corridors that may enhance landscape connectivity. The results indicate that sacred groves in Khordha function as fragmented ecological islands, with limited structural connectivity. However, remnant vegetation patches, agricultural fallows, and riparian zones present opportunities for corridor development.The study highlights the importance of integrating sacred groves into regional landscape planning and community-based conservation strategies.