This study looks at how the environment has changed in areas where Rohingya refugee camps have rapidly expanded after people fled violence in Myanmar’s Arakan State. As more camps were built, forests and farmlands were cleared, while urban and camp areas grew. Over nine years, forest land decreased by about 6%, and agricultural land shrank by nearly 4%, while built-up and camp areas increased by over 5%. This shift has damaged the local environment and ecosystems.

Using satellite data, the researchers measured plant health using tools called NDVI and EVI. These tools showed that vegetation became less healthy over time — NDVI fell from 0.67 to 0.51 and EVI dropped from 0.68 to 0.48, signaling weaker plant life. At the same time, the land surface temperature rose each year, which could be linked to deforestation and land change.

The study highlights that these environmental changes can harm the area’s natural balance and may affect future living conditions. It stresses the need for sustainable solutions to protect the environment while supporting the safe and secure resettlement of Rohingya refugees.