The saga of
Bengaluru’s infrastructural challenges has been widely discussed for some time now. This year, the city is facing a severe
water shortage — a recurring problem that arises every few years.
Urbanisation, depletion of green spaces such as water bodies and vegetation, and unpredictable weather patterns are cited as contributing factors by experts.
The question arises: how much
greenery does the '
garden city' still possess? A recent study by
IISc indicates not much.
Utilising a new public information system — BuiS (
Bangalore Information System) and
BLIS (Bangalore Lakes Information System) — researchers have revealed the detrimental impact of unplanned urbanisation on Bengaluru. Examining the city's development over the past five decades, scientists have made alarming discoveries.
Bengaluru's urbanised area has expanded by a staggering 1055% since 1973, from a mere 8% to 93.3% in 2023. Consequently, there has been an 88% reduction in vegetation. Presently, Bengaluru has only 1.5 million trees for a population of 9.5 million, equating to just one tree for every seven individuals. This insufficient green cover fails to meet the daily respiratory carbon sequestration needs, as outlined by Professor TV Ramachandra from IISc's Centre for Ecological Sciences.
The decline in greenery has resulted in heightened air pollution and temperatures. Additionally, the reduction in water bodies has exacerbated the city's water crisis. Bengaluru's water spread area has dwindled from 2,324 hectares in 1973 to a mere 696 hectares in 2023 due to unchecked urbanisation. Furthermore, 98% of lakes are encroached upon, with 90% being contaminated by untreated sewage and industrial waste, severely impacting groundwater replenishment.
BuIS provides a valuable tool for researchers and policymakers, facilitating the assessment of Bengaluru's ecological health on a ward-wise basis, including tree distribution and water bodies. It also identifies ecologically sensitive zones.
This study underscores the perils of unplanned urbanisation. Professor Ramachandra warns of a cascade effect, leading to pollution, resource disparities, traffic congestion, and increased reliance on fossil fuels.
Bengaluru's plight serves as a cautionary tale for other rapidly growing cities. Prioritising sustainable development and environmental preservation is crucial to ensure a healthy and sustainable future.
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