Why hit the national parks when Bengaluru is our wild backyard now? In the chaos of urbanization, are we losing our way back home? Earth needs us now more than ever and unfortunately, humanity seems to be evolving backwards. As we encroach on their homes and bulldoze their very habitat into the ground, wild animals might soon turn the tables on us, as is already happening! Bengaluru streets are witnessing not one, but two leopard sightings in just days, sending residents into high alert and distress. After the Kudlu gate operation (where the leopard was shot dead because, you know, the logical solution to a misplaced animal is obviously to just shoot it dead instead of opting for the conventional “rescue and return to its habitat” approach. Solid decision-making, as always!), forest officials are now tracking another big cat near a house in Chikka Togur off NICE Road, southeast Bengaluru.
Wildlife wandering into city streets, risking both themselves and humans, is not a novel occurrence. Instances of animals venturing into human habitations have been reported globally. From New Delhi, India, to Buenos Aires, Argentina, groups of animals, including deer and lemurs, are exploring urban areas, driven by the search for food or simply for play.
Here’s the million-dollar question though: Are the animals just urban explorers, or did we intentionally misplace their homes while constructing our concrete jungle? Why cry wolf when we’re the ones sending out the invitations? Over the span of just four decades, Bengaluru has transformed its green spaces into a complex game of hide-and-seek, with a substantial 1,000 hectares lost to encroachment. Despite boasting a seemingly commendable 6,875.21 hectares of forest, we are confronted with the not-so-minor issue of 924.4 hectares being encroached upon illicitly. Taking center stage in this unfortunate land grab is the Bannerghatta National Park division, accounting for a remarkable 587.15 acres and contributing to a tally of 347 encroachment cases. Because, really, who needs greenery when concrete is the fundamental component in our fight against climate change and building a resilient planet?
Karnataka hosts dense forests within the Western Ghats, encompassing about 60% of the nation’s Western Ghats, the continued degradation of which can lead to grave consequences. Regrettably, recent years have posed severe threats to this global biodiversity hotspot due to various factors. Converting forest land inevitably affects local water resources. It disrupts the catchments of major rivers, resulting in problems such as erosion, runoff, and potential groundwater contamination (Incidentally, 40% of Bengaluru’s population depends on this crucial water source). In fact, according to a BBC report, our IT city is on track to pull a Cape Town and run out of drinking water soon! And, should the water crisis not be sufficient motivation, the infiltration of harmful contaminants into Bengaluru’s interconnected lakes and storm drains, might just convince civilians to reconsider their reliance on groundwater.
Alarming reports have already begun flooding in from city residents, describing discolored or foul-smelling discharge from borewells. This points to the infiltration of sewage and chemical pollutants into the water table. Noticeable signs like discoloration, turbidity, and unpleasant odors serve as glaring indicators of water contamination. A rigorous study conducted by the Environmental Management & Policy Research Institute (EMPRI) exposes a stark truth: a staggering 85% of Bengaluru’s water bodies bear the scars of industrial effluents, sewage, and irresponsible solid waste disposal. These water bodies are classified as Class E, indicating usability solely for irrigation and industrial cooling.
Green Price Tag: Forest Loss Rings Sustainability Alarms
The adverse effects of forest loss and degradation have resulted in a substantial estimated loss of Rs 1,897.05 crore in carbon sequestration during the assessment period. This depletion in vegetation and soil not only poses a considerable threat to ecosystem and biodiversity conservation but also has far-reaching consequences on sustainable development. The repercussions extend to socio-economic challenges, including heightened food insecurity, deepened poverty, and exacerbated local-level inequality. Additionally, the concerning aspect is the direct correlation between the rate of forest loss and a discernible increase in the average mean temperature, amplifying the urgency of addressing these environmental challenges.
In Bengaluru’s evolving story, the clash between progress and preservation across the globe echoes loudly. The encroachment on nature, diminishing green spaces, and the precarious state of water bodies underscore pressing environmental challenges. As urban landscapes intertwine with wildlife, a pivotal question emerges: Are we truly advancing, or straying from a sustainable path? The interplay of concrete jungles and receding greenery demands a reassessment of our priorities. The toll for lost carbon sequestration is more than a monetary figure—it signifies a significant blow to our environment. Water challenges, industrial impact, and contaminant infiltration emphasize the need for an urgent collective shift in our approach.
