This research work is an empirical study that brings out the impact of COVID-19 on land surface temperature and its relationship with environmental quality. The study emphasizes one of the important remote sensing parameters, land surface temperature (LST), to identify the positive effect of the lockdown on the environment due to COVID-19 pandemic in Dehradun city, an interim capital of Uttarakhand. The findings of this study bring out that there is a significant effect on LST during lockdown. The trends analysis of land surface temperature which has been performed for the last 12 years reflects dramatic variations. Data analysis was done by using satellite imagery Landsat 8 OLI and Landsat 5 TM for April in the years 2009, 2019, 2020, and 2021. The study also focuses on the effect of variation in LST on environmental quality and estimates the relationship between land surface temperatures and air quality. To justify the study, air quality data of the Dehradun city from Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board has been verified with LST which shows a positive relation. Correlation is used to find out the relationship between LST and Air quality. The result shows a sudden decrease in air quality with an unexpected decrease in surface temperature in April 2020 due to the lockdown in Dehradun city and again an increase in March 2021 after COVID-19 lockdown. LST range decreased from (26.67 °C min to 42.95 °C max) in April 2009 to (28.39 °C min to 43.35 °C max) in April 2019 then (17.30 °C min to 31.97 °C max) in April 2020 and again increased by (21.25 °C min to 32.68 °C max) in April 2021. Similarly, air quality levels in Dehradun showed a marked improvement during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Data indicate a shift from ‘moderate’ Air Quality Index (AQI) levels (100–200) in April 2009 and April 2019 to ‘satisfactory’ levels (51–100) in April 2020. However, post-lockdown observations reveal a return to the earlier, ‘moderate’ AQI range. This temporary improvement highlights the significant impact of reduced human activities on environmental quality. The findings demonstrate the potential for targeted interventions in improving urban air quality and offer valuable insights for decision-makers involved in urban planning, climate change analysis, and forest fire risk management. By informing more sustainable environmental policies and practices, the study contributes to the broader goals of sustainable development in urban regions.