<p>Large scale changes in land cover can impact a range of ecosystem services, particularly in the context of global climate change induced extreme rain events coupled with longer dry seasons. A recent Landsat image was classified using over 400 ground control points and Maximum Likelihood Classification to obtain a map of the present extent of six classes of land cover. Changes in the area under these classes were then calculated based on a similar map published in 1996. There has been a significant reduction in forest plantations with a smaller reduction in natural forest, natural grassland with shrubs, forest plantation and water bodies. These areas have been replaced by tea plantations and vegetable cultivation. This is likely to increase risks of shallow landslides in this region. Reduced water quality due to increased erosion and transport of agrochemicals downstream coupled with an overall reduction of stream flow in dry season in the headwaters are some of the other likely outcomes of the land cover changes.</p>