NCUBC calls for action on biodiversity conservation, releases Indore declaration

Global biodiversity assessments indicate that urban expansion has caused about 50% loss of local within-site species richness and 38% loss of total abundance of species in intensively-used urbanized areas. Existing forecasts of global urban expansion indicate that over 290,000 km2 of natural habitats are likely to be lost to urban expansion between 2000 and 2030. This includes a more than threefold increase in the extent of urban lands near protected areas. Much of this urban expansion is predicted to occur in biodiversity hotspots, many of which had relatively little urban lands in 2000

Indian cities are some of the most populous and dynamic entities in the world, home to over 30% of the country’s population. As the land use within and around the cities gives way to a built environment, the natural ecosystems, its biodiversity, goods and services are going to be further impacted. These goods and services are the very reasons for the liveability, health, basic services and functioning of cities and their citizens. For Indian cities to follow a trajectory of sustainable development, the green and blue must be integrated with the grey. A healthy ecosystem, and a healthy biodiversity associated with a city, will build healthy cities and healthy citizens, improving overall productivity, wellbeing and quality
of life.

Indore Call for Action

We, the representatives of city (Smart City Indore), sub-national (Government of Madhya Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh State Biodiversity Board, Environmental Planning & Coordination Organisation) and national (National Biodiversity Authority, National Institute of Urban Affairs) governments; UN bodies (UNEP); urban researchers and practitioners (Institute of Town Planners, School of Planning and Architecture); private sector (HCL Harit); not for profit organisations (The Nature Volunteers, World Researchers Association, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, South Asia, WWF, CMS Vatavaran, EcoSoul-Enviro, Jaivik Setu, All India Institute of Local Self Government, Wetlands International South Asia), participating in the National Conference on Urban Biodiversity on 5th-6th August 2022 at Indore and Mhow to reinforce our individual and collective commitments towards the implementation of 2050 Vision for Biodiversity, Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, Sustainable Development Goals, CBD, NBSAP and NBTs through mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into urban planning.
Acknowledging with concern the scientific evidence on increasing loss of urban biodiversity due to rapid urbanisation, thereby risking health, livelihoods, food security, water supply and other ecosystem services in
urban areas.
Welcoming the considerable and concerted efforts that are being made by government agencies (at all three levels of governance), academia, civil society, private sector and other sections of the society.
Appreciating that local communities and citizens contribute to the conservation and sustainable utilisation of urban biodiversity through traditional knowledge, innovations and socio-cultural practices, and through their stewardship connect with biodiversity along with the pivotal role played by women and youth.
Recognising the need for integrating biodiversity conservation into urban planning, in order to ensure sustainable urban development, as advocated in the soon to be adopted Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
We urge leaders of all levels of government, United Nations entities, institutions, the private sector, civil society and academia to:

• Make urban biodiversity conservation an integral/core part of urban planning in master plans at district and city levels and align it with Urban Local Body /Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) activities.
• Apply nature-based solutions (NbS) for multiple sustainable development outcomes, using spatial planning, blue and green infrastructure options, promoting green zones and integrated coastal and mountain zone management to reconnect and engage with nature in the new urban world
• Prioritise the development of healthy local environments through active community engagement to ensure air, water, soil, climate and all natural resources that sustain life and health are conserved
• Promote circular development to regulate environmental degradation and optimise resource consumption
• Encourage the engagement of local citizens particularly women and youth in promoting/practising urban biodiversity conservation activities
• Develop Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (LBSAPs) at the city level and institutionalise the implementation of the same
• Work towards developing financially-viable, biodiversity-friendly and climate-resilient infrastructure projects
• Ensure that the natural and built environment in and around urban areas work synergistically to improve liveability and promote human health and well-being
• Enhance the availability of adequate financial resources and their timely disbursement to urban local bodies/BMCs for building smart and
• green cities.
• Replicate and organise similar conferences in other cities/states across the country to generate and maintain momentum for urban biodiversity conservation.
• The document was adopted with overwhelming support from all the participants in the first National Conference on Biodiversity Conservation which was held in the city of Indore on 6th August 2022.