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Increasing urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, virtualisation of social relationships, the climate crisis, skyrocketing inequality have all led to an escalation of stress and anxiety on the global population.
This was made even more apparent when we were locked up into our spaces - dreaming of a natural world as Covid19 ravaged the world.
So when did our cities become these cages? The cities we inherit were not devoid of natural ecosystems that we still long to escape to.
Metropolis like Delhi, surrounded by what’s left of the biodiverse Aravali ranges are littered with old forests such as the Jahapannah, Sanjay Van and The Delhi Ridge that connect to a host of other ecosystems like ponds, lakes and wetlands. Despite experiencing ecological deterioration due to garbage dumping and rapid concretisation still support a staggering number of bird and flora species
Mumbai’s concrete jungles connect to regions like the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and to the tide pools along the coast which offer some of the most magical escapes to wildlife that has coped alongside.
Bangalore, once celebrated for its gardens and lakes - still have hope for revival and include its old ecological heritage in its urban design. Who would imagine Slender Lorri’s are still found in parts of Bangalore’s urban forests?
A natural world, waiting to be discovered is slowly finding a way to cope and survive alongside us.
Imagine a system that included these ecosystems in their idea of 'development'?
After all what important role do these ecosystems play besides maintaining groundwater tables, creating carbon sinks to regulate pollution, prevent soil erosion, provide flood security while also offering spaces to reduce stress and anxiety.
With all the cities mentioned above - plagued with crises that revolve around toxic air, depleted water tables and low happiness indexes - maybe it's time we go beyond beauty and begin understanding the role of ecosystem services to public health and wellbeing
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“Tired of hearing repetitive narratives of how development is inevitable and impossible without including our natural ecosystems in their design.
Tired of hearing how ancient forests can be erased overnight and new ones planted in a span of few years. Guarantees included by our environment ministers.
Tired of listening to men in power, with absolutely no qualifications or relationship to the land, making sweeping decisions about the natural places that sustain life.
With so much focus on forests - what even happens to habitats beyond our understanding? Plateaus, mangroves, riverine systems, wetlands, swamps?
Returning to my drawings, to a world made of relationships nurtured by the Earth. Stories of communities that continue their long fight to safeguard their home”