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HomeSeries: Bengaluru’s ecosystems and biodiversity

Series: Bengaluru’s ecosystems and biodiversity

Bengaluru ecosystems and biodiversity Series bannerOver the last year, Citizen Matters Bengaluru and Mongabay-India, supported by the Bengaluru Sustainability Forum, have worked together to document Bengaluru’s biodiversity.

Starting from the early months of 2020, even as the pandemic situation became serious, we began this project to explore multiple aspects of Bengaluru’s biodiversity.

The project included publishing a series of stories on the topic for the general public, workshop for journalists, resource kits and events to engage young people.

We have explored a range of topics, from colourful solitary bees easily found in urban gardens to the many rare species that are disappearing fast – for example, the slender loris that lives on tree canopies to the disappearing traditional food crops, and butterflies that can’t bear the city’s bright lights.

We found that the Hesaraghatta grasslands, which is under threat now, houses rare species like the Lesser Florican and the Lilac Silverline. We also covered Bengaluru’s neglected mini water bodies — keres and kuntes, that host many birds, insects, and animal species. The bigger water bodies — lakes, also host a lot of biodiversity, and have traditionally provided food and livelihood to local residents. Though lakes have been disappearing fast, fishermen and others have been reviving some lakes while also protecting their biodiversity.

Covering critical issues of our city, day after day, connecting the dots, contextualizing problems, identifying solutions – and sharing this knowledge with millions – has had an impact.

 

bird
Environment

10 young Bengalureans tell stories of Bengaluru’s biodiversity

October 7, 2021 News Desk

Have you seen the Stomorhina xanthogaster, pale-billed flowerpecker, or the cockspur coral tree? Here’s some stunning imagery young Bengalureans captured.

bittu sahgal
Environment

“To protect nature, start at home”: Bittu Sahgal

September 21, 2021 Aruna Natarajan

At Bengaluru Biodiversity Charche, co-organised by Citizen Matters, activists, journalists and students discussed ways to protect the city’s biodiversity

A-Z of lakes booklet
Environment

A to Z guide to Bengaluru’s lakes

September 20, 2021 Labonie Roy, Mongabay-India and News Desk

In a set of illustrations, we examine the components of Bengaluru’s lakes, and get a glimpse of what lies beyond our city’s concrete layers.

Banded Digger Bee
Environment

Biodiversity loss from mega real estate projects: What is missing, what can be done?

September 8, 2021 Bhanu Sridharan

Existing species in projects sites are supposed to be identified and protected. But this is poorly done, causing loss of biodiversity

a real estate project
Environment

Superficial studies and low transparency make Env Clearance process pointless

September 7, 2021 Bhanu Sridharan

Large township projects can severely damage biodiversity. Yet, they often get Environment Clearance based on misleading, copy-pasted EIA reports.

A view of Bengaluru
Environment

Real estate developers face few hurdles in getting environment clearance

September 6, 2021 Bhanu Sridharan

Builders have to submit biodiversity details of the project site, to get clearance. But clearance is given even as the details are missing or copy-pasted

The Xylocopa latipes is India’s biggest bee, and the world’s second largest (Need to confirm). This is a female who has collected pollen and is carrying it on the fine hairs on her legs. Xylocopa’s wings are iridescent not due to pigmentation but due to light refracting through nanostructures in their wings.
Environment

The secret life of solitary bees

March 8, 2021 Arati Kumar Rao

There’s still hope for solitary bees in cities. Urban planners and landscapers could foster biodiversity and food resources for these precious pollinators by creating green corridors.

Hesaraghatta grasslands
Environment

Bengaluru’s yes to Hesaraghatta film-city means a no to the Lesser Florican

January 6, 2021 Arathi Menon

The 356-acre Hesaraghatta grassland is the last remaining grassland habitat in Bengaluru, and hosts many endangered species. While the state government mulls constructing a film city here, environmentalists have proposed a conservation reserve instead.

Environment

City of blinding lights: Artificial light disturbs nature’s processes in Bengaluru

December 14, 2020 Vimal Simha

Bengaluru is among the top Indian cities with extreme levels of artificial lighting. These lights affect vital activities such as migration, foraging, reproduction and survival of the living beings around us.

Economy

Livelihoods dependent on Bengaluru lakes can be protected, here’s how

November 16, 2020 Mohit M Rao

When a lake is rejuvenated, those dependent on the lake for food or livelihoods usually lose access to it. But there are ways to conserve lakes while also protecting livelihoods.

Economy

Local residents suffer as Bengaluru lakes no longer offer food, livelihoods

November 13, 2020 Mohit M Rao

Bengaluru lakes once offered a buffet of greens and fish to those in the neighbourhood. The trees around lakes yielded fruits and seeds that could be either devoured or sold in the markets. But pollution and flawed rejuvenation projects have stopped local communities from accessing lakes.

Environment

Bengaluru’s “other” water bodies shelter rich biodiversity, but are fast vanishing

October 15, 2020 Mohit M Rao

Small water bodies host a variety of bird and animal species, and ensure water security. But unlike lakes, they are completely ignored. A majority of these water bodies have already been filled up.

Environment

Unchecked tree loss is wiping out the Slender Loris from Bengaluru

September 24, 2020 Mohit M Rao

Slender lorises were commonly spotted in Bengaluru once, but with widespread tree felling, they are now cornered into isolated patches like IISc. Further tree loss is threatening the survival of the small population that remains now.

Protests against tree felling in Bengaluru
Environment

Body to protect Bengaluru’s biodiversity revived, but can it help?

September 15, 2020 Apekshita Varshney

Bengaluru recently revived its Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), which is supposed to be the local authority for biodiversity conservation. But lack of clarity on their roles and powers have made BMCs largely ineffective across the country.

Environment

Bengaluru’s lost crop varieties: How we are missing out on local, nutritious food

August 24, 2020 Apekshita Varshney

Many local, nutritious food varieties in Bengaluru have nearly disappeared over time. While millets like ragi are now making a comeback, there are still several crops we have not even heard of.


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