Riparian buffer zones are the linear bands of permanent vegetation along a river or stream. These zones in any
aquatic ecosystem provide organic matter to the water body used as food by the organisms living in and also
provide thermal protection to the aquatic organisms likes fishes, benthic animals etc. In recent years these areas are
dwindling and causing serious ecological problems in streams and rivers. The present study was aimed to assess the
condition of riparian buffer zone and floodplain area of Chandni Nalla a tributary of River Narmada in the central
zone which joins from right bank. To achieve the target a rapid on-foot survey was carried out on the left and right
banks of the stream. The survey revealed that the riparian buffer zone was dominated with agricultural practices on
the both banks covering 80% land followed by a little percentage of vegetation covering 10% and 11% land on the
left and right banks respectively, pasture land covered 5% land approx and 3% land was under erosion. This shows
that the riparian buffer zone of the Chandni Nalla is in disturbed condition and less vegetation along the stream
banks may cause degradation of stream ecosystem and the aquatic life.