‘In growing cities, biodiversity is bound to be damaged’ - a cliché put into circulation when there are discussions about maintaining balance between growth and sustainability in urban areas. But, Dharmaraj Patil, Programme Officer at the Centre for Environment Education, calls it lethargy in planning and talks about the importance of open plots in sustaining the richness of the gene pools of species in urban ecology.

The open spaces in the city, which have not yet been used for construction, or any other purpose, develop an ecosystem of their own - similar to what happens in the wild life corridors in national parks and wild life sanctuaries.

Look at the biodiversity-rich places like Vetal hills, Pashan lake, NDA area, or the University of Pune campus - the open spaces here have evolved into migration corridors for various species. Apart from that, these spaces have made it possible for local wild life to flourish.

As a common misconception, we think of large trees as the only habitats for birds. But birds like the Tailor Bird, Ashy Prinia, Sun Bird, Gray Partridge and Quails build their nests at heights below one metre from the ground. We often hear authorities saying that green cover is bound to get affected by the booming real estate. This shows their complete disregard for the environment in the process of planning.

Unfortunately, the spots that are focused upon for conservation efforts are the better known ones. The less significant ones are ignored – at a risk to the environment. So along with detailed mapping of the major spots, mapping for empty plots should also be done.

The local government bodies of the cities should identify some plots in the city that will never be touched in the course of ruthless development. It has to be kept in mind that even species in urban areas need to maintain their gene pool by avoiding breeding within only a single genetic group. And it is for this purpose that these mini-corridors prove to be very important. These open spaces, rich with life, prove to be places for mating of two genetically non-related groups – which leads to enlargement of the gene pool. Such plots are also rich in other animal and plant life. We can find grasshoppers, toads, snakes and mongooses forming a food chain in these areas. Construction in such plots destroys this chain.

This makes it imperative for us to create policies to save at least some of these plots. Open plots near residential complexes can be protected with the help the residents. Efforts have to be made to maintain the bio-diversity in these plots by avoiding irresponsible waste disposal. More than the role of local governing bodies, people’s participation in preservation of these open plots is more instrumental.