Over the past 50 years, the designation of protected areas within biodiversity hotspots has increased, with a notable addition of 123 million hectares of planted forest since 1990. However, global natural forest cover continues to decline, while tree plantations have expanded across all climatic zones. India has implemented one of the largest afforestation programs globally, afforesting between 1 and 1.5 million hectares annually since 1980. These efforts have resulted in complex landscapes comprising diverse forest types, including protected natural forests, monoculture plantations, and mixed native plantations, often interwoven with human-dominated environments. These landscapes present a unique opportunity to examine the relationships between forest biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Ecological theory suggests that forests with high biodiversity typically support enhanced ecosystem functions. This study applies the concept of multifunctionality to quantify ecosystem functions, highlighting how biodiversity patterns are influenced by environmental factors, community abundance, and evenness across small spatial scales. The research focuses on Neora Valley National Park (159.78 sq. km) in the Darjeeling Himalayas, a biodiversity hotspot and an Important Bird Area. Spanning elevations from 183 m to 3,200 m, the park encompasses forest types which includes monoculture plantations, mixed plantations, and natural forests shaped by historical management. This study investigates the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors—such as elevation and forest type—on the diversity and composition of woody plants, birds, and soil biota, alongside key ecosystem functions. Preliminary findings reveal trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem functions and biodiversity across forest types. The study aims to identify optimal forest management strategies that maximize ecosystem functions in Neora Valley National Park. These insights will contribute to developing future nature-based solutions by enhancing conservation strategies and strengthening the protected area management in the Darjeeling Himalayas.