Ecological benefits of urban forestry: The case of Kerwa Forest Area (KFA), Bhopal, India

In developing countries like India, migration of people from rural to urban areas is responsible for ever expanding urban boundaries. This trend is exerting significant pressure on unprotected natural forests located near urban centers. This paper highlights the case of Kerwa Forest Area (KFA), located at about 10 km from the city of Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh state. The objectives of this study are to quantify the extent of disturbance faced and ecosystem services provided by the KFA. Suitable spatial technologies and forest sampling techniques have been used to achieve the objectives of the study. It was found that the KFA is currently facing severe anthropogenic pressure. Parts of the KFA, located close to the settlements, were found more disturbed than the parts which were located far from the settlements. In spite of disturbances, KFA is a habitat for many threatened and endangered plant, animal, and bird species. KFA also plays a critical role of a carbon sink with a total storage of about 19.5 thousand tons of aboveground carbon. Immediate precautionary measures are required to prevent further degradation of the KFA for ensuring better environmental quality for the residents of Bhopal city in the future.