Human dimensions of urban home gardens in Bengaluru, India. attitudes, perceptions and motivations towards gardens and urban biodiversity

Indian cities are undergoing rapid urbanization and population growth, with projections indicating that over 50 percent of the population will reside in urban areas by 2050. In this urbanizing landscape, the natural environment often takes a backseat to urban expansion. This research focused on elucidating the role of home gardens within the urban milieu, specifically by examining the human dimensions of these small-scale green spaces in Bengaluru, India. Through a mixed methods approach involving semi- structured interviews and questionnaires administered to 60 home gardeners, this dissertation explored the perceptions, attitudes, and motivations of individuals towards home gardening in an urban context. The study revealed a multitude of motivations for engaging in home gardening, spanning personal and community-level interests. Primary drivers included the desire for access to nature, the cultivation of personal green spaces, the preservation of traditional knowledge and family history, and a sense of civic duty in contributing to the city's well-being.Furthermore, the research investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceptions of home gardens, highlighting significant shifts in attitudes and the emergence of unique opportunities for the initiation and expansion of such gardens. Notably, gardeners in this study demonstrated a high level of acceptance towards urban wildlife and actively incorporate wildlife-friendly measures within their gardens. Ultimately, the findings suggested that home gardeners in Bengaluru perceive their gardens through a multifaceted lens, characterized by a strong commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and personal well-being.