Terracon Ecotech Partners With Thane Municipal Corporation To Develop Nation’s First Local Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (LBSAP)

Terracon Ecotech has associated with Thane Municipal Corporation for calculating City Biodiversity Index (CBI) and preparing Local Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (LBSAP) for Thane city, making it the first Municipal Corporation to undertake such activity in India. The company presented the current project report to the Corporation last month comprising of facts and figures on strength and weaknesses of Thane city in terms of native biodiversity, ecosystem services and governance and administrative focus with respect to biodiversity.

“It is a proud moment for us at Thane Municipal Corporation as the CBI and LBSAP are global concepts in the field of urban biodiversity. These projects will help our City grow in an ecologically sustainable way. We want to improve and enhance the lives of our residents and help create an environment where we all live in harmony with the biodiversity around us.” said Mr. Sanjeev Jaiswal, IAS, and Municipal Commissioner of TMC.

The Action Plan submitted by Terracon for TMC includes creating and improving biodiversity and wildlife corridors and connectivity measures, increasing green cover of the city, restoration of wetlands and wastelands to improve habitats, community awareness and participation, etc. The process involves improving natural areas, managing ecosystems and providing conducive habitats for promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services. Each indicator is calculated by gathering data from primary surveys and secondary sources of information such as publications, government records and other sources.

“We are happy to work on the recommendations given in the Report for Thane Municipal Corporation to ensure balanced urban growth and enhance the ecosystem and ecosystem services of Thane city. We look forward to phase wise implementation of the plan to improve City’s soft infrastructure and quality of life” said Mr. Ashok Kumar Rankhamb, Additional Municipal Commissioner, TMC.

With lots of primary and secondary research, the Study was completed in March 2015 and the Report submitted to TMC that includes CBI score on 23 parameters (as per the Convention on Biological Diversity – CBD) and a strategized action plan. Thane Municipal Corporation, which is blessed with multiple habitats with forests, wetlands, wastelands and dense residential and commercials establishments, through this project got to identify its strengths and weaknesses in terms of biodiversity indicators. The assessment provides an insight into various aspects of urban biodiversity in the jurisdiction of the Corporation and where it needs to concentrate to improve its score and connect its activities thereof.

“We look forward to the effective implementation of nation’s first LBSAP as we feel this action plan is a very important way for mainstreaming biodiversity in urban planning and capacity building of the City to encourage balanced growth.CBI is an important tool that provides baseline data and guidance for preparation of Local Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (LBSAP) for a city. LBSAP needs to be prepared by all cities to not only implement the policies laid down under the National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan but also to mainstream biodiversity in the planning process. LBSAP, if properly implemented, can lead to improved quality of life for citizens and create competitive advantage for city administration in better positioning of the city”, says Ashok Jain, Director, Terracon Ecotech Pvt. Ltd.