A to Z - Day 4 - Deforestation in Bengaluru

Cubbon Park, Bengaluru.
Photo by Deen David on Unsplash

 

Deforestation, the large-scale removal of forests for human activities, is a global crisis with devastating consequences.

Whether driven by agriculture, logging, urban development, or grazing, the impact is undeniable: loss of biodiversity, disrupted ecosystems, soil erosion, and a significant contribution to climate change through increased carbon dioxide emissions.

Globally, the scale of this destruction is alarming. It's estimated that approximately 500,000 square miles (1.3 million square kilometres) of land are deforested every decade. However, the impact is acutely felt in rapidly urbanizing areas.

BENGALURU'S SHRINKING GREEN SPACE

Bengaluru has witnessed a staggering loss of its natural heritage. According to an IISc study, approximately 93% of its forest and lake area has vanished over the past five decades due to relentless urbanization. The reasons are multifaceted:

• Agricultural expansion: Clearing land for farming.
  
  
• Timber harvesting: Cutting trees for construction and other industries.
  
  
• Urban sprawl: Expansion of settlements leading to widespread tree removal.

CONSEQUENCES

The repercussions of deforestation are far-reaching and deeply concerning:

• Climate change: Trees act as crucial carbon sinks, absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide. When forests are cleared, this stored carbon is released, exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating global warming.
  
  
• Biodiversity loss: Forests provide habitats for countless plant and animal species. Their destruction leads to population declines and even extinctions.
  
  
• Soil erosion: The absence of tree roots weakens soil structure, making it susceptible to erosion. Heavy rainfall can then wash away topsoil, leading to landslides and the loss of fertile land.
  
  
• Disrupted water cycles: Forests play a vital role in regulating water cycles. Their removal can disrupt rainfall patterns and alter regional climates.

HOPE AND ACTION

Despite the grim reality, there's a glimmer of hope in the concerted efforts to combat deforestation and enhance Bengaluru's urban green cover.

• Leading environmental group People's Planet has launched an ambitious "One Million Tree Plantation" project that aims to create urban forests across the city, utilizing geo-tagging for effective monitoring and conservation. This was launched in Bengaluru in January.
  
  
• The SayTrees Foundation is making significant strides in reforestation, having planted over 480,000 saplings to date using the Miyawaki technique for rapid growth and biodiversity. They also actively engage the community, fostering environmental responsibility.

Hopefully, the damage that is being caused by urbanisation will be offset to a great extent by these efforts.

(This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. The theme is environment)

Enter your email in the box below, and get my new blog posts in your inbox

Powered by 

A to Z - Day 3 - Conservation efforts in Bengaluru

Image credit:
Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust 

From an environmental and ecological perspective, conservation refers to the protection and management of natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity.

It's about balancing our needs with environmental well-being. We can achieve this in many ways, such as minimizing the wastage of natural resources, controlling pollution, and preserving greenery.

In the face of major environmental challenges brought on by rapid urbanization, the government and institutions in Bengaluru are striving to stem the decline and improve the situation.

INSTITUTIONAL EFFORTS

For example, Bengaluru has a comprehensive Climate Action and Resilience Plan (BCAP), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against climate change. 

According to the Karnataka government, "Over the next few years, the BCAP will be implemented as a multi-sectoral collaborative effort, drawing participation from various departments of the Government of Karnataka, civil society, and the private sector."

Earlier this month, the Karnataka government announced the Karnataka Forest, Wildlife, and Climate Change Mitigation Foundation, which aims to mitigate the effects of climate change and increase green cover.

COMMUNITY EFFORTS

There are also several community-led initiatives focused on lake rejuvenation and rainwater harvesting. The rejuvenation of Puttenahalli Lake and Kaikondrahalli Lake are two success stories.

United Way Bengaluru, an NGO, is working to restore, revive, and rejuvenate lakes. According to them, they have restored over 50 lakes in collaboration with local authorities, focusing on improving water quality and biodiversity.

Eco-Watch is an organization that works on environmental conservation. They are involved in various projects to increase green cover and biodiversity in peri-urban areas, such as planting saplings around lakes and industrial zones.

BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH

These are just a few of the initiatives. However, the problem is becoming more serious every day.

While the government must recognize biodiversity conservation as a top-priority area, many more institutions will need to actively engage in these efforts.

(This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. The theme is ecology and environment.)

Enter your email in the box below, and get my new blog posts in your inbox

Powered by

A to Z - Day 2 - Biodiversity of Bengaluru

Cubbon Park in Bengaluru.
Photo source: Karnataka Tourism

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is a term that encompasses a whole lot of things. 

It refers to all forms of life on Earth, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. It also includes the systems they inhabit, like terrestrial, marine, and freshwater environments. 

Biodiversity also refers to the diversity of existence, like genetic diversity (variation within species), species diversity (variety of species in a region), and ecosystem diversity (different ecosystems like forests, coral reefs, and wetlands). 

It also includes the interactions among organisms and their environments. 

So, it is a whole lot of things.

ITS IMPORTANCE

The richness of biodiversity is important for us.

It ensures the variety of crops, livestock, and marine species that provide us with nutrition.

Several modern medicines, including antibiotics and painkillers, are derived from natural sources. Biodiversity loss would mean less chances of discovering new medical treatments.

Biodiversity ensures balanced ecosystems which in turn means fewer diseases.

Forests and wetlands filter air and water, thus reducing pollution-related health risks. 

"The degradation of wetlands, which filter freshwater, has led to a 35% decline in global wetland coverage since 1970, increasing waterborne diseases and reducing water availability for over 2 billion people," says the World Health Organisation.

Forests also absorb carbon dioxide mitigating climate change impacts like extreme weather events.

Access to biodiverse natural areas improves mental health by reducing stress and enhancing cognitive function. It also supports physical health by encouraging outdoor activities and reducing chronic diseases, according to this article on "Benefits of Biodiversity to Human Health and Well-being".

BENGALURU'S BIODIVERSITY

Bengaluru (earlier Bangalore) commonly referred to by many epithets like India’s Silicon Valley, Pub Capital, Pensioners’ Paradise, Garden City, etc., boasts a surprisingly rich biodiversity.

Slender Loris on the Indian Institute Science
campus, Bengaluru.
Photo source: Kalyan Varma/JLR Explore.

Surprising, because over the last two decades, the city has seen an unimaginable pace of urbanisation.

Some statistics about what Bengaluru has are quite striking.

• 41 species of mammals, including the slender loris, leopards, jungle cats, and several species of bats and rodents. (Bengaluru Sustainability Forum)
  
  
• Over 300 species of birds have been documented, including long-distance migratory birds from the Himalayas, Central Asia, and Siberia. (Bengaluru Sustainability Forum)
  
  
• The grasslands of Hesarghatta in Bengaluru alone host around 235 species of birds. (Oorvani)
  
  
• The city has 52 species of reptiles and 17 species of amphibians. (Bengaluru Sustainability Forum)
  
  
• Bengaluru is home to 1,707 species of insects and arachnids, along with thousands of plant species. (Bengaluru Sustainability Forum)
  
  
• Despite a decline from 400 to 227 lakes, Bengaluru's lakes remain crucial biodiversity hotspots. For example, Dorekere Lake supports 230 species of flora and fauna, including 74 bird species. (Deccan Herald)

While I knew Bengaluru had a pleasant climate, these figures surprised me.

The city has a number of citizen activist groups, besides resident welfare associations and similar community organisations that work to protect and enhance urban biodiversity through surveys, conservation projects, and awareness campaigns.

That's something really good about this city.

(This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. The theme is environment)

Enter your email in the box below, and get my new blog posts in your inbox

Powered by