FADING GREEN IN A CITY OF GREY

“As cities grow, the spaces for wildlife shrink—here's why that matters.”

Have you ever noticed a little sparrow hopping across a busy street, only to disappear into a cloud of smoke? Or seen a river that used to flow freely now lying dry and cracked because there hasn't been any rain? If you live in a city, chances are you have, and maybe it didn't even cross your mind that animals see it all too.

We usually think of pollution as a problem for people, dirty air that makes it hard to breathe, plastic trash piling up everywhere, and the constant noise that keeps us awake at night. But while we're caught up in all this noise and mess, something quieter and more heartbreaking is happening around us.

The Disappearing Neighbours We Didn't Notice

There was a time when cities were alive with birds, bees, butterflies, and even the occasional squirrel or small animal scurrying through. But today, in the concrete jungle we call home, those natural spaces are disappearing faster than we realise. We now live in a time when most of us have to visit zoos, sanctuaries, or parks to catch a glimpse of the wildlife we once shared our neighbourhoods with.

According to the State of India's Birds 2020 report, familiar city birds like the house sparrow, common Myna, and rose-ringed parakeet are showing declining trends in urban areas. They're struggling because green patches are shrinking, food is harder to find, and the constant noise never lets up.

And it's not just birds. Pollution in the air, water, and soil is quietly rewriting the rules of survival for every living creature around us.

Air pollution damages respiratory systems, not only ours but also those of animals. Studies show that animals living in high-traffic zones experience similar lung conditions to those of humans.

Light and noise pollution confuse migration paths, nesting cycles, and even sleep rhythms. Insects like fireflies, which rely on darkness to attract mates, are now vanishing from cityscapes.

Water pollution from untreated sewage and industrial waste kills aquatic life and contaminates the very ecosystems birds, fish, and mammals depend on. Just one polluted lake can collapse an entire urban wetland food chain.

And yet, we carry on, barely noticing.

When Nature Fades, So Does Balance

Wildlife doesn't disappear overnight. It fades, slowly, quietly.

When frogs stop croaking during the monsoon, or butterflies no longer flutter through our parks, we often chalk it up to us “growing up” or the city just “changing.” But what's really happening is something far more serious: a silent collapse in biodiversity.

According to a 2020 report by WWF India, the country has lost 12% of its wild mammal population over the past 50 years, and much of that loss is now happening right along the edges of our cities.

These animals weren't just there for beauty. They're pollinators, pest controllers, seed spreaders, quiet workers who keep our urban ecosystems running smoothly. When they disappear, cities begin to fall out of balance.

The problem isn't that nature can't live alongside us. The problem is how we're choosing to live with it.

What Can You Do? More Than You Think.

You might be wondering, “What difference can I really make?” The truth is, “A lot”.

Across the country, young people are already stepping up. They're cleaning up polluted lakes, tracking birds and insects in their neighbourhoods, organising noise-free festivals, and demanding better public transport. In cities like Bengaluru, youth-led campaigns have helped stop tree felling and sparked efforts to restore wetlands.

And making a difference doesn't always mean starting a movement. It can begin with small, everyday actions i.e., planting native trees and setting up tiny pollinator-friendly corners in your school or neighbourhood, choosing to skip plastic decorations during festivals, reporting illegal dumping, sewage leaks, or tree cutting when you see it, and volunteering at local clean-up drives or urban wildlife events organized by various NGO's.

These aren't just feel-good activities. They're real, on-the-ground interventions that help wildlife survive and stay with us.

Cities Are Ecosystems Too

At Forest Life Foundation, we believe that environmental awareness shouldn't stop at the edge of a forest. Cities are living ecosystems in their own right and protecting them starts with education and community involvement.

That's why our work focuses on helping people, especially students and youth, reconnect with the nature around them. Through workshops, awareness campaigns, and citizen science initiatives, we encourage young people to pay attention to their surroundings whether it's an urban lake, a quiet garden corner, or even a dusty roadside tree.

Our efforts include spreading awareness about waste management to reduce the impact of plastic on urban wildlife, highlighting the effects of noise and light pollution, especially around festivals and construction zones, and reviving biodiversity through hands-on eco-literacy programs in higher educational institutes and communities.

Because once people truly understand what's at stake, they start to care. And when they care, they act. And when they act, nature gets a chance to heal.