Ecological Restoration Planning is an essential requirement for most developed places in today’s times. Unsustainable growth in cities and suburbs have led to damaged and degraded ecosystems. Activities of building construction, highways, mining, landfill, waste dumping etc. have created many sore patches in urban, rural and forest environments. Ecological restoration process essentially looks at studying the following components.
1. Present ecological condition of the damaged or degraded system – This is assessed through intense studies on geology, hydrology, groundwater, soil, flora, fauna, migration patterns, pollution etc. from within and surrounding areas.
2. Ecological Components of the Biospehere – A detailed tudy and database needs to be prepared of the ecological components of the biosphere in which the restoration site belongs. This study lets out a database and vocabulary for rehabilitation design.
3. Socio-cultural and political threats – All natural, rural and urban environments are affected by social, cultural and political environments. It would become important to understand and prepare the plan to address issues arising from these fronts.
Taking inferences from these studies, an ecological restoration plan is prepared. Public consultantion, participatory planning, environmental education etc. become part of the implementation process. Idea Design have had opportunity to work on highly valued ecological restoration projects in association with experts in complementary fields of work. A Portoflio of our work on Adyar Poonga Ecological Restoration Project in Chennai is given below.
