Context

• Biodiversity, the variety and variability of life on Earth, forms the bedrock of ecological stability, economic prosperity, and human well-being. Yet, with about 25% of species facing extinction, biodiversity is under unprecedented threat.
• This crisis is not confined to forests or oceans; it extends into our cities, where unplanned development and environmental degradation jeopardize the green and blue spaces that sustain urban life.
• The theme for this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity, ‘Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,’ captures the urgent need to balance urban expansion with ecological preservation.

The Imperative for Urban Biodiversity and Frameworks for Action

• The Imperative for Urban Biodiversity
  • Urban areas are expanding rapidly, with nearly 70% of the global population expected to live in cities by 2050.
  • City spaces, though often congested, hold immense potential for biodiversity if designed with foresight.
  • Trees and green belts are more than aesthetic features, they offer crucial ecosystem services like air purification, temperature regulation, noise reduction, carbon sequestration, and flood mitigation.
  • In cities such as Frankfurt, green belts have demonstrably reduced local temperatures and improved humidity levels.
  • These spaces also provide mental and physical health benefits, offering urban residents a refuge from the concrete sprawl.
  • Beyond environmental and health gains, the economic value of urban biodiversity is striking.
  • According to Professor Theodore Endreny, urban tree cover can generate ecosystem services worth approximately ₹8 crore per square kilometre
  • Such figures underscore the cost-effectiveness of investing in green infrastructure as a cornerstone of urban resilience.
• Frameworks for Action: From Global to Local
  • The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer robust blueprints for action.
  • The GBF’s 23 targets, including urban-specific goals like enhancing green and blue spaces, align with SDG 11’s emphasis on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
  • Tools like the City Biodiversity Index and Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (LBSAPs), developed by bodies like ICLEI Asia, help cities monitor biodiversity and implement actionable plans.
  • One innovative concept gaining traction is the UN Habitat’s 3-30-300 rule: every home should see three trees, have 30% canopy cover in its neighbourhood, and access a park within 300 metres.
  • These simple but powerful metrics could transform how cities integrate nature into everyday life.

Indian Context: Challenges and Case Studies

• In India, cities like Chennai and Hyderabad have witnessed alarming losses in green cover. For instance, Chennai lost 2.6 square kilometres of forest cover between 2021 and 2023.
• The rise of high-rise buildings has also eroded home gardens, once a staple of urban biodiversity. Despite these setbacks, there are examples of hope.
• The Koyambedu market greening project in Chennai enabled the regeneration of 141 native plant species and attracted diverse bird and butterfly populations.
• Similarly, restoration efforts at Pallikaranai marsh, now a Ramsar site, illustrate how degraded ecosystems can be revitalized.
• Organisations like the Care Earth Trust are leading efforts to plant a million native trees in Chennai, and public land such as the Madras Race Club is being repurposed for ecological functions like groundwater recharge.
• However, such initiatives need scaling and stronger policy backing.

The Role of Governance and Public Participation

• City managers must actively enforce environmental regulations, penalise illegal encroachments, and incorporate biodiversity considerations into urban planning.
• The Supreme Court's censure of mass tree felling in Hyderabad's Kancha Gachibowli is a welcome step, but judicial interventions cannot substitute for sustained governance.
• A decentralised approach involving resident welfare associations, NGOs, corporates, and households is vital.
• Strategies like mandating tree plantations for new constructions, promoting roof gardens, and reviving kitchen gardens can democratize biodiversity efforts.
• Such initiatives not only enhance the urban ecosystem but also promote health, food security, and community engagement.

Conclusion

• Biodiversity conservation in urban areas is not a luxury; it is a necessity for a sustainable and liveable future.
• As cities continue to expand, integrating green and blue spaces must become central to development plans.
• The frameworks are in place, and successful models exist. What is required now is collective commitment, rigorous implementation, and community participation to ensure that our cities remain vibrant, resilient ecosystems that thrive in harmony with nature.