Bhubaneswar: The Capital City has lost a substantial portion of its natural green spaces, wetlands and vacant lots in the last three decades owing to rapid urbanisation and population growth which has deprived the biodiversity of its natural habitats, said noted environmentalist and secretary of Orissa Environmental Society, Jaya Krushna Panigrahi. Speaking to OrissaPOST on the eve of the ‘International Day for Biodiversity’, Panigrahi said not just Bhubaneswar, but other cities of the world were also bountiful in diverse species of indigenous flora and fauna, half a century back which enriched the urban biodiversity. He said the Capital City at the time of its establishment in 1948 was beset with natural settings, such as lush green Chandaka forest, many green patches within the City and the flowing rivers of Kuakhai and Daya. “However, in all sorts of developmental processes over the decades, the first casualty has been the trees. And along with their destruction, the resident birds, arboreal and aquatic animals, insects and many other species became threatened and their populations faced decline,” he said. “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,” he added. Panigrahi said the recent initiative of creating ‘Nagar Vans’ within the city has kindled a ray of hope for replenishing the threatened flora and fauna in the City. “The Anandbana being the first of its kind, should be at the top of the urban agenda that will bring back some naturalness into the city environment and help in tackling problems of pollution, heat island effect, and above all, get back some aesthetic appeal to the City,” he said.
Strategic measures need to be undertaken with the assistance of some institutions and communities for reinforcing the conservation of urban biodiversity and enhancing its ecological health, he added. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had recently inaugurated Anandabana at Shankarpur, here. The park aims to establish green infrastructure in the urban landscape to enhance the overall air quality index in the city. Spread over 89.05 acres, it also offers a range of amenities to visitors. However, beyond its recreational offerings, Ananadabana also serves as a platform for nurturing future environmental leaders. The site features 550 metres of rock trails, 32,750 square feet of water bodies, enhancing the serene ambiance and providing habitat for various aquatic species.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP