Although Land Surface Temperatures (LSTs) are on the rise globally, the distribution of LSTs varies depending on the land cover type. Urban Heat Island and Urban Cool Island effects act differently, especially in semi-arid regions. Therefore, we identify demi-decadal, seasonal, and zonal differences in LSTs in a semi-arid region in the city of Jaipur, where zones include rural and urban areas that encircle the Jhalana Reserve Forest (JRF). After deriving LSTs from remotely sensed thermal bands of Landsat satellites’ Multi-spectral datasets, we found that there is a significant difference in LST (p < 0.01) among the zones. In addition, LSTs were found to be significantly lower in JRF compared to Urban and Rural areas in all seasons and all study years, which indicates the urban cooling effect due to the presence of the forest. Nevertheless, summer LSTs have warmed with a mean difference of 4.8 °C between 2000 and 2020. Therefore, our study supports the promotion of Urban Forests, especially in semi-arid zones, for inculcating LST regulation ecosystem services to enrich and enhance the standard of living of the human population.

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Despite previous concerns regarding the survival of Asiatic Lions confined to the Gir Protected Area, their dispersal into surrounding landscapes has become a subject of considerable research and discussion. This study employs species distribution modeling, corridor analysis, and additional landscape assessment using satellite-based temperatures and Land Cover statistics to investigate this dispersal and identify potential corridors based on extensive field data. The results reveal the identification of a potential corridor from Gir Wildlife Sanctuary towards Velavadar Blackbuck National Park, indicating the expansion of the Asiatic Lion’s range in the Eastern Greater Gir Landscape. These findings highlight the significance of resilience in Lion dispersal and corridor expansion, with implications for conservation and potential regional benefits, including ecosystem services and eco-tourism for sustainable development of the region.