Tracking urban green cover transformation in hyderabad through ndvi-based spatio-temporal analysis (2000–2024)

In Indian metropolitan cities rapid administration has significantly transformed the land surfaces and ecological conditions. There is a direct implication for the urban climate and environmental sustainability. Hyderabad which is one of the fastest growing cities in southern India has experienced extensive spatial expansion over the past two decades. This study will be examining the spatiotemporal dynamics of the urban vegetation in Hyderabad by using the normalised difference vegetation index NDVI. Which is an indicator of vegetation health and density. Three distinct periods multi temporal satellite data were analysed 2000-04, 2010-2014, 2020-2024 to capture long term vegetation trends which is associated with different phases of urban growth.The study results reveal that there is a progressive decline and fragmentation of vegetated areas. The change is particularly observed along the major urban expansion corridors in the West common north western and eastern parts of the city. The research also observed that the NDVI values persist in reservoir catchment defence lands and institutional real gas. But the spatial extent of the urban green cover has considerably reduced overtime. These vegetation changes indicate increasing ecological strengths and also reduce to capacity for the climate regulation within the urban environment. This study once a highlights the effectiveness of NDVI based remote sensing for long term monitoring of urban vegetation and emphasis users the need to integrate green infrastructure planning into Urban Development policies. It will enhance the climate residence and environmental sustainability in rapidly growing cities.