Protecting Nature: Biodiversity boosts overall productivity in ecosystem
Shabiha Nur Khatoon
Biodiversity boosts overall productivity in the ecosystem where each species, no matter how small, has an important ecological role to play. Conservation efforts have resulted in sanctuaries and parks worldwide and the protection of different varieties of botanical and zoological species in essential to arrest depleting biodiversity that threatens ecological stability.
The United Nations observes May 22 as The International Day for Biological Diversity to increase understanding and awareness among people about biodiversity. The theme for 2024 is ‘Be part of the Plan’. The theme calls upon the international community to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity worldwide and support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
On the occasion of International Biodiversity Day, we interact with a few experts on the need to protect biodiversity and corresponding need to create awareness on ecologicalconservation.
Half a century back, cities of the world were bountiful in diverse species of indigenous flora and fauna, thus enriching the urban biodiversity. The capital city of Bhubaneswar at the time of its establishment in 1948 was beset with natural settings, such as lush green Chandaka Forest, many green patches within city and flowing rivers Kuakhai and Daya, says Dr Jaya Krushna Panigrahi,Secretary, Orissa Environmental Society.
He adds, “During the last three decades, rapid urbanization and population growth in the city has shrunk the natural green spaces, wetlands and vacant lots immensely and thus deprived the biodiversity of its natural habitats. In all sorts of developmental processes, the first casualty has been the trees and along with their destruction, the resident birds, arboreal and aquatic animals, insects and many other species become threatened and their populations face decline. Being converted into a concrete jungle, the city is presently bereft of its wilderness and is confronting many environmental challenges, which aggravate further in the scenario of climate change. The recent initiative of creating Nagar Vans within the city, the Ananda Van being the first of its kind, should be at the top of the urban agenda that will bring back some naturalness into the city environ and help in tackling problems of pollution, heat island effect and above all, bring back some aesthetic appeal to the city. Strategic measures need to be undertaken with the assistance of some institutions and communities for reinforcing the conservation of the urban biodiversity and enhancing its ecological health.”
Dr Kunja Bihari Satapathy M.Phil., Ph.D., D.Sc.Emeritus Professor of Botany, School of Applied Sciences, Centurion University of Technology & Management, Bhubaneswar highlights few botanical species whose numbers are critically decreasing over the years.
A: Critically endangered
1. Saraca asoca (Asoka)
2. Symplocos racemosa (Lodha)
B: Endangered
3. Pterocarpus marsupium (Piyasala)
4. Oroxylum indicium (Phanaphana)
5. Stereospermum chelonoides (Patali)
Photograph (clockwise from top left): Critically endangered species: Saraca asoca (Asoka), Symplocos racemosa (Lodha) , Endangered, Pterocarpus marsupium (Piyasala), Oroxylum indicium (Phanaphana) , Stereospermum chelonoides (Patali)
