Introducing Wildlife in Urban Ecosystems [I ed.] 9383419547

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Introducing Wildlife in Urban Ecosystems

Introducing Wildlife in Urban Ecosystems

Amartya Deb

COPAL PUBLISHING GROUP Inspiring for a better future through publishing

Published by Copal Publishing Group E-143, Lajpat Nagar, Sahibabad, Distt. Ghaziabad, UP – 201005, India www.copalpublishing.com

First Published 2017 © Copal Publishing Group, 2017 This book contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources. Reprinted material is quoted with permission. Reasonable efforts have been made to publish reliable data and information, but the authors and the publishers cannot assume responsibility for the validity of all materials. Neither the authors nor the publishers, nor anyone else associated with this publication, shall be liable for any loss, damage or liability directly or indirectly caused or alleged to be caused by this book. Neither this book nor any part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from Copal Publishing Group. The consent of Copal Publishing Group does not extend to copying for general distribution, for promotion, for creating new works, or for resale. Specific permission must be obtained in writing from Copal Publishing Group for such copying. The Author hereby warrants that the Work is original work, that it does not infringe any other copyright. The Publisher is not in anyway responsible for any legal proceedings and expense whatsoever in consequence of the publication or alleged publication in the Work of any pirated, libellous, seditious, scandalous, obscene or other unlawful matter. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation, without intent to infringe. ISBN: 978-93-83419-54-7 (hard back) ISBN: 978-93-83419-55-5 (e-book) Typeset by Bhumi Graphics, New Delhi Printed and bound by Bhavish Graphics, Chennai

“…The case for the conservation of nature and for the increase of our accesses to her must be stated more seriously and strongly than is customary. Not merely begged for on all grounds of amenity, of recreation, and repose, sound though they are, but insisted upon. On what grounds? In terms of the maintenance and development of life….” –(Geddes, 1915, p. 51)

Contents

Preface

ix

1. Introduction to urban environment

1

1.1

Humans as species

1

1.2

Urbanisation and urban environment

3

1.3

Key drivers of urban environment

4

1.4

Ecosystems and biodiversity in urban centres

2. Understanding urban ‘wildlife’

10 13

2.1

Character of wildlife

13

2.2

Wildlife in urban areas

14

2.3

Existing settings of ecology in urban areas

19

2.4

Factors affecting wildlife habitats in urban areas

43

3. Co-existence of animals and humans

45

3.1

Animal geography: Changing perceptions and importance with time

45

3.2

Possibilities of coexistence

46

3.3

Human–animal interactions

48

3.4

Defining approaches for coexistence

55

4. Conservation of wildlife in urban areas

57

4.1

Goals of conservation of urban wildlife

57

4.2

Challenges and potential of wildlife conservation in urban areas

65

4.3

Methods to conserve wildlife in urban areas

68

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Introducing wildlife in urban ecosystems

5. Designing for wild animals and plants 5.1

Effect of design on plants and animals in urban areas

72

5.2

Designing spaces by nature of interaction

74

5.3

Projects and proposals by various architects to encourage wildlife

82

6. Towards a resilient society with wildlife

Index

71

86

6.1

Dealing with eco-gentrification

86

6.2

Open spaces vs. urban forests: Redesigning recreation options

89

6.3

Social capital and a close knit society with nature

90

6.4

Alleviating poverty through natural landscapes

93

6.5

Policing wild pockets for safer communities

95

6.6

Disaster management: Fire safety

97

6.7

Responses to zoonotic diseases

100 103

Preface

The idea of writing this book was conceived about a year back when my friend Piyush Das, a conservation architect and academician based in New Delhi, insisted me to translate one of my thought experiments into a book. Of the several concepts I frequently dabbled in at the time, I chose to write on wildlife and urban interface as it also reflects my desire at a personal level. Briefly, before moving into the city, I had spent a significant part of my life in the countryside of Kolkata. To describe such an environment, I could choose a few words like ‘green’, ‘serene’, ‘clean’, ‘fresh’, ‘relaxing’, ‘stimulating’, ‘rejuvenating’ and ‘secure’. I can remember the large fields of paddy and corn that invited colourful birds like parakeets; while kingfishers and several small birds could be spotted around the ponds with ease.We would use rods to fish every once in a while and catch crabs that inhabited the banks of the lakes with our bare hands. Now the village I grew up in is a full blown city, as if almost none of it existed before. I could witness a completely isolated rural settlement convert from agrarian to industrial economy. To think of the changes it bought in the landscape reminds me of the emergence of many roads that split the seamless canvas of green into many small parts. It came along with disappearance of natural fauna like foxes, wildcats and rabbits that earlier inhabited the areas. The death of majestic creatures like vultures which I later learnt was caused due to introduction of a new drug for cattle called ‘diclofenac’ is perhaps the most regretful memory I can recall.At the same time, with modernization and industrialization there emerged more jobs and services and made life more comfortable and economically favourable.Thus I felt it was necessary to explore a possibility where urban expansion can accommodate the benefits of ecological productivity as well. In this book I argue that this can be achieved through preserving the wild character. Planners, architects and designers are often accused of playing god, as their discipline involves enforcing a pattern of activity and lifestyle on people with or sometimes without their consent. While the planner focuses on providing adequate land and services to the people, segregating activities as he foresees to organize the urban space better, the politics of economy, sociology and space transforms his visions into the reality and often not

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Introducing wildlife in urban ecosystems

quite in the same manner as he had originally imagined. Solution to a better environment is not all that difficult as my friend environmentalist once humorously offered that solution to be ‘exterminating the humans’. It is a better environment ‘for and with the humans’ that has become such a difficult task for planet earth. The cities are dilapidating, growing more congested and at the same time encroaching into the seam of wilderness. The green belts and forests are being engulfed into the grey fabric causing habitat loss, fragmentation and destruction of wild life and diversity. Indeed the study is needed to address these critical aspects. A few and broad questions before I started writing were: In what ways have the urban areas fostered nature differently from the autonomous wilderness areas? Should urban areas be designed to accommodate more animals? To what extent can conflicts be mitigated for existence of wildlife in close proximities of humans? In what ways, can this vision help make a more resilient society? Originally the book was supposed to be a wideranging resource document for me to refer for clarity while arguing in favour of the living environment. But I have decided to publish this in case anyone else may benefit from the same. The book primarily aims to distinguish between manmade nature and wild with focus on the benefits of wilderness. In my course of learning I have come across three schools of thought regarding this. The first believe in preserving existing natural settings to be the best solution; the second believe with growing pressures from wildlife activists and international tribunals, nature is slowly gaining rights and negotiating power to save itself alongside the human race; and the third question, if at all natural systems are indefinitely sustainable? For instance, lake or pond eutrophication is a natural phenomenon caused due to ecological succession and not necessarily man induced. Thus the third group believes that change is inevitable in nature and designing new habitats altogether may shape the way for future. Drawing from all of the above, I have realized that each one of the above arguments have their own place and context which are highlighted in the book. Urban areas have already started creating habitats that are very different from traditional natural habitats in terms of chemical composition; food, water and nutrients availability; light exposure and terrain; re-defining the scale of wildness in a way. The book also attempts to tell the story from the lens of politics that play an important role in the process of coexistence. For instance, the group of urban dwellers want open spaces for recreation, cleaner air for health benefits, while the biologists advocate

Preface

xi

for a conservation approach to safeguard biodiversity within the city. Disadvantaged population of the cities who cannot afford to maintain parks and yards either because of lack of money or space try to keep potted plants on their balcony. A little more dedicated segment of the population would perhaps keep a roof garden. But all of these processes take place independently without the awareness of the efforts of others. This book is an attempt to knit all of their needs and come up with a holistic perspective for the green and grey to co-exist. However, it will largely address needs and possibilities of wildlife to exist in urban areas rather than the problems posed by ecosystem degradations in general. I have shared personal experiences from various parts of India alongside news, articles, documentaries, scientific papers, and reports that allowed comparing views from different parts of the world. Several references are deliberately cited from old publications to reflect the early contributions in this topic; most of which is still available online. Few ways in which the book will uniquely add to this knowledge would be with new perspectives and multifaceted organization of information for a quick overview to urban design and urban planning practitioners. The book talks not in detail of biology but just enough for the spatial engineers and policy makers to be able to develop an imagination. The book presents conflicting ideas and suggests common grounds where they can be addressed. The generic ways in which I believe the book can stimulate action is in creating harmony between humans and wildlife by reducing human–animal conflicts; conservation of native species; design of desirable habitats; improving benefits of wild in cities and reduce costs of ecological benefits for urban areas. At the same time it offers brief discourses on prospects of creating employment, improving public health and nature of public spaces. I am deeply thankful to Dr. M. Jayashankar for his support towards initiating the idea as a book and Pablo Bora for the much required discussions in relevant areas and encouraging my work throughout from the very conception of the idea. I am also thankful to Joyce Sequeira, Samik Hazra, Sridipta Ghatak and Yash Pratap Singh Shekhawat along with Ashok Thanikonda and Aditya Bajaj to have had commented briefly on the pieces I had shared occasionally. Also among my peers, I am utmost thankful to Pavan Tiwari for agreeing to author the first chapter of the book. Of the many relevant things that I have learnt from him over the years, I have found a responsible friend in him whom I could trust as a colleague.

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Introducing wildlife in urban ecosystems

I extend my gratitude to Dr. Stephen Connelly, Dr.Tom Goodfellow and Dr. Glyn Williams from Department of Urban Studies and Planning at The University of Sheffield for encouraging me in the endeavour and offering valuable insights in both approach of the book as well as confronting the publication process amid my intense academic responsibilities as student in the university. While I claim I was without funding for the book, this would never have been possible without my mother Sukla Deb supporting me and my ideas alongside being a patient listener and offering her suggestions every time I was in doubt with myself. Amartya Deb