7th CMS VATAVARAN Environment and Wildlife Film Festival and Forum 2014

Urban biodiversity and its conservation

Message from Dr Braulio F de Souza Dias - Executive Secretary Convention on Biological Diversity, Montreal "We live on an urban planet, and although in the city we feel more and more isolated from nature, we eat, breathe and drink nature, we need it for our health. The countries of the Convention on Biological Diversity have adopted a Plan of Action to involve sub-national and local authorities in implementing its targets. URBIO concentrates scientists and institutions to support the creation of new forms of urbanization where increased quality of life does not mean the extinction of our living heritage, our biodiversity". Urban green spaces- urban parks, remnants of the natural forested areas, avenue plantations, etc- are the most common form of nature encountered in the cities, and have been recognized for providing various social, economic and ecological benefits including air and water purification, mitigation of the impact of environmental pollution, carbon sequestration, regulation of micro climate, recreational and spiritual value, habitat for urban wildlife, therapeutic value, a desired surrounding for raising children, social integration, conservation easements and community development potential. However, presence of urban green spaces or a good tree cover is not sufficient for ensuring that the citizens will continue to receive the ecosystem services. Conservation and management of urban biodiversity is important for sustaining urban open spaces and the resulting ecosystems services. Biodiversity-the backbone of ecosystems-is the variability among living organisms from all sources, and the ecological complexes of which they are part.

Urban biodiversity conservation would entail ensuring presence of different types of habitats like wetlands, rivers, forests, gardens, open greens, homestead gardens and roadside plantings- which are required to maintain the flow of various ecosystem services. Urban biodiversity conservation would also mean maintaining natural plant and animal communities, planting native species, maintaining and restoring natural habitat structures, compensating or the lost habitat for birds and small mammals by installing nest boxes, food stalls etc, and regular monitoring of urban habitats for management of invasive species or species that may pose health hazards for humans.

There is mounting evidence cross the globe that urban biodiversity and healthy urban ecosystems contribute to health and overall wellbeing of the citizens. Biodiversity conservation in urban areas has become significant not only because of increasing human population in urban centres but also because it is one of the innovative ways to conserve biodiversity as suggested by various global environmental conventions.

For more information on URBAN BIODIVERSITY, please visit the following links: