The Decline of Bengaluru’s Forests: An Urgent Call to Action
The recent mapping reveals a significant decline in Bengaluru’s forest cover, with alarming rates of loss raising concerns among environmentalists. Following an intensely hot summer and critical water shortages, the ecological issues faced by Bengaluru have come into sharp focus. Just as the city’s lakes are threatened, its forested areas are also confronting the encroachment crisis.
Overview of Forest Land in Bengaluru
Bengaluru is divided into five taluks: North Bengaluru, Yelahanka, East Bengaluru, Anekal, and South Bengaluru. Together, these regions encompass more than 26,000 acres of forest land. According to reports from the Karnataka Forest Ministry, over 2,665 acres across these taluks have experienced illegal encroachment—a response given by Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre during a council meeting.
A Comprehensive Look at Anekal’s Forest Cover
Anekal stands out with the largest expanse of forest land at approximately 10,842 acres. Unfortunately, it is also experiencing a significant amount of encroachment pressure. Following Anekal in size are South Bengaluru and Yelahanka taluks which also struggle with threats to their green spaces. Eastern parts see a notable encroachment where out of 1,485 acres reported for East Bengaluru; over 573 acres have been compromised.
In recent years—specifically within the last five—it has been documented that there have been 163 instances related to illegal taking over of these vital ecosystems; however only 28 cases have led to remedial action being taken by authorities according to Mr. Khandre.
Expert Insights on Ecological Impact
Environmental specialists emphasize that the situation warrants urgent attention and action at multiple levels due to escalating pressure on local biodiversity and resources. T.V. Ramachandra from IISc’s Energy and Wetlands Research Group highlighted critical comparisons between cities when discussing vegetation cover statistics: “The extent of greenspaces available in cities like Delhi or Mumbai far surpasses what we currently see in our own environment here in Bengaluru.”
He noted that since 1973 there has been a staggering drop in overall vegetation cover—from approximately 68% down below just four percent today—a trend embodying irreversible harm towards urban biodiversity.
Importance Of Preserving Native Ecosystems
Forests serve as essential components within urban environments acting akin to “lungs” providing oxygen while simultaneously filtering carbon dioxide and aiding groundwater recharge processes crucial for sustaining life amidst temperature extremes typical for urban areas like ours.
Ramachandra elaborated further on hydrological processes stating that regions dominated by native tree species can achieve moisture retention through natural infiltration ranging significantly between fifty-eight percent (58%) up towards sixty-five percent (65%). Conversely—under conditions where tree coverage falls below thirty percent (30%)—water bodies often experience seasonal dryness post-monsoon periods accentuating how crucial forests are not merely aesthetically pleasing but fundamentally necessary infrastructures benefiting entire metropolitan landscapes.
This information underscores why conserving what little remains is paramount—not only for maintaining ecological balance but also securing access clean water sources moving forward as challenges regarding climate change loom ever closer around major global population centers such as Bangalore numbering now close onto twelve million inhabitants firmly relying upon well-managed precious resources derived primarily through natural forestry systems working coherently alongside modern developments.
