Product DescriptionIn a rapidly urbanizing India, what is the future of nature conservation? How does the march of development impact the conflict between nature and people in India's cities? Exploring these questions, Nature in the City examines the past, present, and future of nature in Bengaluru, one of Indiaâs largest and fastest growing cities.Once known as the Garden City of India, Bengaluru's tree-lined avenues, historic parks, and expansive water bodies have witnessed immense degradation and destruction in recent years, but have also shown remarkable tenacity for survival. This book charts Bengaluru's journey from the early settlements in the 6th century CE to the 21st century city, and demonstrates how nature has looked and behaved, and has been perceived in Bengaluru's home gardens, slums, streets, parks, sacred spaces, and lakes.A fascinating narrative of the changing role and state of nature in the midst of urban sprawl, and integrating research with stories of people and places, this book presents an accessible and informative story of a city where nature thrives and strives.Review"Urban ecologist Harini Nagendra's study looks at [Bengaluru's] deep ecological history, colonial role as India's garden city and current struggle with pollution, social exclusion and residents' increasing detachment from nature. Marshalling research from satellite imaging to interviews with slum dwellers, she concludes that "cities need to be ecologically as well as socially smart", and sees solutions in cross-city engagement of governance and civil society." - Nature Books in Brief"Nagendra pulls out the city's ecological history dating back to the 12th century. From the creation of the Garden City to cultivation of home gardens, from apartments to slums and streets to public spaces like parks, Nagendra tracks the diminishing greens, creepy-crawlies and other animals." - Nature India"Nature in the City is a compelling look into a city's relationship with nature, one that is likely to resonate with people from across the world." - Mongabay"a first-of-its-kind that documents nature in a city -- not only in India but from South Asia." -FirstPost.com"traces the ecological history of Bangalore from early 6th century settlements to its present status as a 21st century IT city, and its rapid, remarkable transformation from colonial cantonment town to independent state capital... a thoughtful, affirming and profoundly important book." - The Indian ExpressAbout the AuthorHarini Nagendra, a Bengaluru native, is Professor of Sustainability at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru. Her many publications include Reforesting Landscapes: Linking Pattern and Process (co-edited, 2010).