A to Z - Day 5 - Ecosystem of Bengaluru

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their non-living environment in a specific area.

An ecosystem has interconnectedness and interdependence and a healthy ecosystem provides sufficient resources and energy for all living beings.

The size of an ecosystem can vary. It can be anything from a pond to a forest to even our entire planet.

The term "ecosystem" was first coined by Sir Arthur George Tansley, an English botanist and ecologist, in 1935. He introduced it in a paper published in the journal Ecology, where he described it as a system that includes both living organisms and their physical environment, interacting as a whole.

BENGALURU’S ECOSYSTEM

Bengaluru was once celebrated as the “Garden City’. But today, it’s struggling to retain its greenery in the face of rapid urbanisation. 

Over the past three decades, there have been dramatic changes in the city’s ecosystems, reflecting the challenges of balancing conservation with development.

• In the late 19th century, Bengaluru had thousands of lakes and reservoirs. The area of water bodies has shrunk from 2,324 hectares in 1973 to just 696 hectares in 2023. Their number is now around 200, with many either encroached upon, polluted, or dried up due to unchecked urban sprawl. There are only around 20 good and functional lakes in the city.
  
  
• In 1973, nearly 70% of the city was covered in greenery. But, by 2023, it plummeted to less than 7%, with urbanised areas expanding by over 1,055% since 1973.
  
  
• Forest cover has dropped from 288.48 sq. km in 2021 to 89.02 sq. km in 2023, a loss of nearly 200 sq. km in just two years.
  
  
• The city has become warmer too. Bengaluru has seen an increase of around 1.5 degrees C in its average temperature over the past 20 years.

WHY THE DECLINE

The surge in population is one reason. The projected figure of population of the metropolitan area today is about 14.4 million up from 8.5 million in 2011.

Economically too the city has grown. 

• Bengaluru has 44% of the nation's unicorn startups as of 2020.
   
• The city is home to over 5,500 IT/ITES companies and nearly 750 multinational corporations. 
  
  
• The IT sector alone accounts for over 24% of Karnataka's GDP.
  
  
• From 2014 to 2023, Bengaluru added 80 million square feet of Grade A office space, creating approximately 800,000 prime jobs — the highest among Indian cities.

THE MOOT QUESTION

Quite evidently, the environmental ecosystem seems to be paying the price for the advancement of the economic ecosystem.

Should one be at the cost of the other? Can’t both move forward hand in hand?

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

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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)

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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.)

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