Description

In the Anthropocene era, the global environmental crisis of mass species extinction and habitat loss poses a significant threat, intensified by climate change-induced events such as droughts, floods, heat stress, and extreme weather. India, with a projected mid-century population exceeding 1.5 billion, faces challenges to food, water, air, and ecological security, particularly in urban areas. Despite these pressures, India has demonstrated a noteworthy commitment to biodiversity conservation since Independence, embedded in its constitutional values.

This book underscores the importance of reimagining the relationship between wild, semi-wild, and urban areas to conserve and enhance ecosystem services crucial for human well-being. With over 500 million people already concentrated in urban areas, the book advocates for expanding the role of cities as refugia for India’s rich biodiversity. Institutional and educational campuses, when thoughtfully planned and managed, can serve as habitats for diverse native species, fostering ecological connectivity in rapidly urbanizing spaces.

The book focuses on the IIHS Kengeri campus’s natural history and biodiversity, presenting a pioneering effort in documenting and monitoring biodiversity using scientific tools. It marks the launch of the world’s first Long-Term Urban Ecological Observatory (LTUEO) in a megacity and the Global South, reflecting IIHS’ commitment to conserving Bengaluru’s flora and fauna amidst climate change. This initiative contributes to the development of urban ecology and sustainability science in India, aiming to inspire optimism for a biodiverse and improved future Bengaluru.