National Conference On Urban Biodiversity: Fostering Sustainable Cities Through Collaboration And Conservation
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, South Asia, in collaboration with the National Biodiversity Authority, organised a two-day national conference on urban biodiversity. The conference was held on 29 and 30 November 2024 in Hyderabad. The event saw the participation of over 200 delegates, bringing together mayors, municipal commissioners, policymakers, environmental experts, forest officials, and urban planners from 35 cities in India to discuss the pressing issue of biodiversity conservation in urban environments.
The inaugural session featured the participation of Smt. Naynaben Pedhadiya, Hon’ble Mayor of Rajkot and Chairperson of the Regional Executive Committee, ICLEI South Asia; Shri Sarfaraz Ahmad, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority; Shri Raghu Kumar Kodali, Advisor at the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Government of India; and Shri C. Achalender Reddy, IFS (Retd.), Chairperson of the National Biodiversity Authority. Smt. Vijayalaxmi Gadwal, Hon’ble Mayor of Hyderabad, was the Chief Guest at the event. Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Gadwal emphasized the need to understand the significance of urban biodiversity and integrate it into urban planning. She also highlighted the exemplary work being carried out by the city of Hyderabad and the global recognition it has achieved for its efforts. “Hyderabad is setting an example for cities to follow.”
The two-day event consisted of technical sessions and deliberations. Day 1 included two sessions: “Nature in the City: Fundamentals and Perspectives,” which explored the foundational principles of urban biodiversity and its crucial role in building sustainable cities, and “Showcasing Best Practices / Voices from Cities,” where representatives from 7 cities in India presented their efforts to enhance urban biodiversity. Technical session 3 on Day 2 focused on the “Role of Local Bodies, Urban Development Bodies, Biodiversity Boards, Forest Departments, and Forest Development Corporations in Promoting Urban Biodiversity.” This session emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among various institutions to protect and promote biodiversity in urban areas.
The Valedictory Session featured a summary of the event by Dr. Monalisa Sen, Associate Director at ICLEI South Asia. The session also included remarks from Shri A.V. Ranganath, IPS, Commissioner of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency, and the way forward by Shri C. Achalender Reddy, IFS (Retd.), Chairperson of the National Biodiversity Authority.
Day 2 concluded with a field visit to the Botanical Gardens of the Telangana Forest Development Corporation, Kondapur, Hyderabad.
This National Conference on Urban Biodiversity serves as a timely reminder of the urgent need to prioritize biodiversity conservation in growing urban environments. By fostering collaboration across sectors and levels of governance, India can develop cities that not only function as economic hubs but also serve as models of environmental sustainability.
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