ICEH Papers

ASSESSING ECOSYSTEM HEALTH INDICATORS IN PUNE CITY, INDIA


Oswal, P., Patwardhan, A., Sahasrabuddhe, K., Mahabaleshwarkar, M., Nalavade,S. and Ghate, U. “Assessing Ecosystem Health Indicators In Pune City, India” in Martin J. Bunch, V. Madha Suresh and T. Vasantha Kumaran, eds., Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Environment and Health, Chennai, India, 15-17 December, 2003. Chennai: Department of Geography, University of Madras and Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University. Pages 315 – 321.

Abstract:

Assessment of ecosystems and human health of Pune City, Western India (18°32’N and 73°46’E) has been underway since the year 2000 with the purpose of developing a blueprint for sustainable development based on "wise" principles. Ecosystem health has deteriorated on the parameters of Biodiversity (10-30%), Carbon emissions (25-40%) and Water quality with a subsequent increase in health related problems by 10-20 % both because of changing food habits and deteriorating quality of available resources. This, coupled with a 56 % increase in human population and 50 % increase in aerial expansion over last decade has overstressed the available resources such as water and energy. Pollution, uncontrolled harvesting and introduction of exotics seem to be threats to the biodiversity, while misuse of resources and changing cultural trends such as over reliance on table work with an improper food regime, can be attributed as precursors of health related problems. A sustainable development plan requires mass participation, and recorded past evidences based on ‘Wise Ecosystem Principles’ through encouragement of Low External Input Sustainable Activities (LEISA) to reduce high ‘Ecological Footprint’ as we are proposing.

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