EXPLORING THE 21 YEARS TREND OF DEFORESTATION IN TERENGGANU STATE AND ITS IMPACT ON NATURAL HERITAGE

Deforestation in Terengganu significantly threatens the local environment. This study uses Google Earth Engine (GEE), machine learning, and remote sensing data to identify changes in forest coverage over 20 years and their impacts on cultural heritage. Utilising Landsat 8, Sentinel-2, and the Hansen Global Forest Change dataset, the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was calculated to quantify vegetation changes. The data show a decrease of 213,103 hectares in 2016 and 196,645 hectares in 2017, with a total loss of 287,328 hectares during the study period. The findings indicate substantial deforestation, particularly in metropolitan regions, with a strong negative correlation between forest cover and population, highlighting human activities' significant impact. The study also examines the relationship between deforestation and proximity to urban centres, noting higher forest loss around metropolitan areas between 2006 and 2011, mainly due to the East Coast Highway expansion. The study underscores the need for sustainable land use practices, conservation measures, and effective forest monitoring to combat deforestation in Terengganu.