biodiversity protection bengaluru

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.

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.

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.

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.

A recent study finds that Bengaluru’s neighbourhood parks establish a long continuum of greenery, facilitating the movement of birds, butterflies and insects. Hence the focus should be on setting up many small parks rather than a few large ones, says the study