Kolkata/IBNS: Bengali film superstar Rituparna Sengupta, actor Indraneil Sengupta and danseuse Alonananda Roy graced a talk show on forest land depletion and urban wildlife encounters recently in Kolkata.

The talk show was hosted by Siddha Group.

Environmental experts and conservationists convened to address the rising challenges posed by urban expansion, the natural ecosystem, and the growing interaction between humans and wildlife.

Adding a unique cultural dimension to the discussion, Alokananda Roy offered perspectives on the deep connection between nature and human existence through the lens of art and philosophy.

Alokananda Roy. Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

“Instead of taking excursions to expensive places, schools should rather take students to nature and wildlife expeditions,” said Alokananda Roy while stating how to increase awareness amongst the new generation.

The talk show explored key issues such as the rapid loss of forest cover, the effects of urbanisation on biodiversity, and ways to create a balance between ecological preservation and urban growth.

Experts highlighted how expansion of urban spaces has led to the fragmentation of natural habitats, posing threats to wildlife and the ecosystem. They discussed the urgent need to adopt a sustainable urban planning practice that will prioritize environmental conservation while meeting the demands of growing cities. A major focus of the discussion was the increasing frequency of human-wildlife interactions.

Glimpses from the talk show. Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

The panel underscored that such encounters can lead to mutual harm, threatening wildlife populations while also posing risks to human communities. Through compelling real-world examples, the experts illustrated how unplanned urbanisation disrupts ecological harmony leading to conflicts.

(Reporting by Rishika Sharma, Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)