Quantifying the Impact of Urbanization on Ecosystem Services in National Capital Region of Delhi (2005-2025): A Monetary Valuation Approach

The National Capital Region (NCR) of India, centered around Delhi, is undergoing rapid urbanization, leading to significant transformations in land cover and ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are categorized into four types: provisioning (material outputs like food, water, and timber), supporting (fundamental processes like nutrient cycling and soil formation), regulating (benefits such as climate moderation and flood control), and cul- tural (non-material values like recreation and spiritual enrichment). This study evaluates the impact of land cover changes on the availability and economic value of ecosystem services from 2005 to 2025, employing the monetary valuation framework by Costanza (2014). By analyzing shifts in land cover types such as forests, wetlands, and urban areas, the research quantifies the trade-offs between urban expansion and ecosystem functional- ity. Key findings reveal a decline in regulating and supporting services, such as carbon sequestration and water retention, due to the conversion of natural landscapes into built- up areas. Conversely, cultural services, like recreation, show localized increases. Analysis reveals substantial declines in regulating services across districts, with Faridabad showing a 60% reduction, Gautam Buddha Nagar decreasing by 58%, and Delhi experiencing a 25% decline. Supporting services exhibited similar patterns, decreasing by 37% in Faridabad and 15% in Delhi. Provisioning services demonstrated more variability, declining by 12% in Jhajjar while increasing by 7% in Baghpat. These quantified changes demonstrate the measurable impacts of urban expansion on ecosystem functionality. Using remote sensing and spatial analysis, this study provides policymakers with metrics to evaluate trade-offs between development and ecosystem preservation in rapidly urbanizing regions. The find- ings emphasize the need for planning approaches that maintain critical ecosystem services while accommodating urban growth.