Challenges and Opportunities for Urban Biodiversity Conservation: A Case Study of Patna, Bihar, India

Urban biodiversity is increasingly threatened by rapid urbanization, population growth, and resource exploitation, particularly in fast-growing cities such as Patna, Bihar. This study investigates the challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation within the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) area, focusing on the status of green spaces, ecological services, and conservation strategies. The objective is to examine the current status of biodiversity, identify key threats, and suggest strategies for sustainable conservation in Patna. The study relies on secondary data and geospatial analysis. Sources include the Census of India (2011), the Patna Master Plan 2031, population projections, ward-wise land-use data, and Landsat-8 NDVI imagery from USGS Earth Explorer. GIS techniques were used to map land use/cover, open space distribution, and spatial biodiversity patterns, complemented by government reports and published literature. Findings reveal critical stress on urban biodiversity: green open space remains constant at 6.9 km², while population density is projected to quadruple from 23,832 persons/km² in 2021 to 94,471 by 2030, reducing per capita open space from 9.31 m² to 7.28 m². Major threats include water contamination (affecting 75% of the city and 80% of biodiversity), intensification of the urban heat island effect, and unsustainable resource exploitation. Nonetheless, biodiversity hotspots such as Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park and Eco Park provide essential ecological and recreational services by mitigating heat, improving air quality, and buffering floods. Socio-economic benefits include reduced stress-related illness, increased tourism revenues, higher property values, and employment generation through afforestation initiatives. The study concludes that conserving biodiversity in Patna requires integrated urban planning, expansion of green infrastructure, wetland restoration, and participatory citizen engagement. Collaborative governance, GIS-based monitoring, and community stewardship are essential for building ecological resilience and ensuring sustainable development.