ECOSYSTEM SERVICE-BASED URBAN FOREST PLANNING: A SPATIAL SUITABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR NARMADAPURAM, M.P.”

Abstract

River-based towns in India are increasingly facing ecological and hydrological stress due to urban expansion, land degradation, and disruption of natural riverine systems. Narmadapuram reflects these challenges through degraded riparian zones, reduced vegetation cover, and weakening hydrological processes. This study explores urban forestry as a planning-led, nature-based solution to restore ecological balance and enhance ecosystem services at the city scale.A GIS-based multi-criteria approach is adopted to identify suitable locations for intervention through systematic stages of exclusion, suitability assessment, and feasibility evaluation. Parameters related to land use, vegetation, soil, hydrology, and accessibility are analysed to determine areas where green infrastructure can be effectively integrated. The study emphasises interventions such as urban forest patches, green corridors, riparian buffers, and conservatory landscapes to improve infiltration, stabilise soil, and restore ecological continuity.The proposed framework demonstrates how integrating urban forestry with land-use planning and watershed systems can enhance environmental performance, support public well-being, and strengthen urban resilience. The approach provides a scalable and implementable model for sustainable development in river-influenced urban context.