Vegetation health analysis of hilly areas in Darjeeling District of West Bengal using analytical hierarchy process (1998–2022)

Vegetation health is critical for maintaining ecological stability and minimizing landslide susceptibility, particularly in the fragile hilly terrain of Darjeeling District, West Bengal. This study aims to analyze the spatiotemporal variations in vegetation health from 1998 to 2022 and to evaluate how biophysical and climatic parameters collectively influence vegetation dynamics. The research integrates multiple vegetation indices, viz., NDVI, NDBI, NDMI, SAVI, and EVI, along with climatic variables such as land surface temperature (LST) and rainfall. Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) within a GIS framework, weights were assigned to each parameter to produce a comprehensive vegetation health map and to assess long-term trends. Results reveal a notable decline in moderate and good vegetation health zones, coupled with localized improvement in very good health areas due to conservation interventions. These findings highlight the dual impact of anthropogenic pressure and restoration efforts in shaping the vegetation landscape. The study provides a methodological framework for long-term vegetation health monitoring and supports the formulation of eco-sensitive planning strategies for sustainable hill area management.