BACKGROUND
Urbanisation invariably results in heightened pollution, reduction of impermeable surfaces, degradation & loss of habitat, decrease in green spaces, heat island effect, and introduction of non-native exotic species, all of which results in accelerated loss of biodiversity.
With large tracts of land being repurposed for urbanisation, the preservation, restoration and ecologically sound management of biodiversity is becoming more crucial by the day.
Indigenous plants and animals in cities and towns, contribute to ecological services and enhance the quality of life of the city dwellers. But these benefits are often sacrificed at the altar of population density and rising land prices. Thus, it is a formidable challenge to preserve biodiversity in concrete jungles.
IMPLEMENTATION
Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., the largest IT company in India, is extremely sensitive to the issue of conservation of urban biodiversity and is leveraging the vast urban campuses it operates from, to make a meaningful contribution.
All its campuses and townships have been developed as Biologically Diversified Urban Landscapes. The integrated approach undertaken by TCS has ensured that these large landscapes become thriving sanctuaries for native biodiversity in teeming urban cities.
Biodiversity mapping has been carried out for all campuses and species recorded for flora (plants) and fauna (animals) were enlisted. Based on the biodiversity mapping, site-specific Biodiversity Action Plans were formulated and effectively implemented for conservation and enhancement of flora and fauna to protect depleting native urban biodiversity.
Flora Conservation Programmes
It includes creation of habitat, protection of traditional native plant species, transplantation of trees during construction phase, protection/plantation of endangered, rare, threatened plant species, implementation of various plantation drives, provision of providing nursery etc.
Fauna Conservation Programmes
It includes creation of habitat, butterfly zones, bird adoption and bird habitat improvement programmes, protection of honeybee hives, snake conservation programmes, conservation of bat colonies, etc.
Wildlife Rescue & Release Programmes
Due to favourable conditions, TCS campuses become habitats for various wildlife in the heart of the cities. So, Wildlife Rescue & Release Programmes are implemented at all sites with the availability of emergency numbers of State Forest Department and local NGOs.
IMPACT
Flagged off in 2009-10 with 8 campuses, the Biodiversity Conservation Programme has been implemented at 18 campuses and since then, is a part of designing and planning of new campuses.
There is a remarkable increase in biodiversity and over 453 species of flora and 164 species of fauna are being conserved and nurtured in these campuses.
Consistent efforts of TCS towards butterfly conservation through Butterfly zones, have resulted in a dramatic increase in their species and in 2018-19, a total of 70 species of butterflies were recorded belonging to 46 genera and 6 families.
The successful creation of these butterfly zones has also been an important aspect of various awards bestowed on TCS in the field of environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation.

TCS Kochi received Special Recognition Award for 'Eco-friendly Campus & Biodiversity Initiatives' by Bombay Chamber of Commerce in 2019. Also, for the first time in the history of Indian Chamber of Commerce,
Kolkata, TCS Kochi became the first Service
Sector Industry to qualify for an Environmental
Excellence Award 2018.

Moreover, there was a special mention about the research paper on 'Urban Biodiversity at TCS' presented in National Biodiversity Congress 2017 organized by Kerala State Biodiversity Board, which was highly appreciated by the Chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board.
The effective implementation of Wildlife Rescue & Release Programme at TCS Indore Campus resulted in successful release of creatures like Russell's viper and Nilgai into their natural wild habitat. Plus, as a part of Conservation of Sacred Snake Grove at the TCS New Campus in Kochi, there were sightings of endangered species such as Cuon alpinus (Indian Dhole) and Viverricula indica (Small Indian Civet Cat). These animals were successfully released into their natural environment by representatives of state forest department.
The campuses also have add-on benefits of biodiversity, that accrue through ecosystem services such as:
Cooling and ventilation by vegetation, which lowers ambient temperature by 3-4 degrees and thereby reduces energy consumption
Carbon sequestration, which helps combat climate change
Improvement in air quality
Enhancement of aesthetics/working environment, which indirectly increases productivity.