Biodiversity parks of Delhi

Detailed study of 7 biodiversity Parks of Delhi. Namely Yamnuna, Aravali, Tughlaqabad, Kamla Nehru, Tilapath, South Biodiversity Parks.
Contributed by Yash Sakhuja, Chandni Kalyani, Anandita Doda, Harshit Kapoor and Srivatsa.
Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi.

1. Environmental Science Assignment on “BIODIVERSITY PARKS OF DELHI” Group F Presented By:- Anandita (238), Chandni (196), Harshit (102), Nitika (212), Srivatsa (124), Yash (150)

2. INTRODUCTION What are Biodiversity Parks? Biodiversity  is the shortened form of two  words   "biological" and "diversity" . It refers to all the variety of life that can be found on Earth (plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms) as well as to the communities that they form and the habitats in which they live . India is the body and Delhi its life. There are two reasons behind Delhi being chosen as the Capital of India namely, water security and forest ecosystem . Yamuna the fifth longest river contributed to the water security. Aravali ecosystem surpassing the dinosaur age contributed towards the forest ecosystems thereby giving much importance to Delhi since the ancient times. Delhi was very diversified but owing to Rajasthan winds the vegetation began to deteriorate. Britishers then thought of introducing new vegetation. As a part of their efforts they went to Mexico and bought Mexican mesequet ( Prospous Julie Flora) also known as Mexico Vilayti Keekad .

3. In situ and Ex situ Conservation: In situ and Ex situ, both are the method of conservation. The basic difference between in situ and ex situ lies on the habitat place where the process is carried out.  1. I n situ Conservation is one of the methods of the conservation of genetic resources in natural populations of plant or animal species. 2. Ex situ Conservation is one of the methods of the conservation of living organism outside their natural habitat through genetic conservation . What are Biodiversity Parks- In situ or Ex situ Conservation? Biodiversity parks are a combination of both In situ and Ex situ Conservation as they involve conservation of plant and wildlife at both the places where they are naturally found and as well as places outside their natural habitat through genetic conservation

4. Keekad is the kind of tree which surrounds itself by it’s own species. It is also known as terror tree because it soaks water underneath upto around 30 meters. When these trees were planted in the Aravalli range in Delhi the natural species growing there vanished and these terror trees soaked all the underground water and flourished thereby covering 70- 80 percent of all the vegetation cover of Delhi. CR Babu , a professor in Delhi University researched on the topic and found that it had become necessary to get our old and basic vegetation back. The terror trees had a problem that they couldn’t be grown in saudic soil thus in an attempt to regain vegetation they started growing hardy grass in the area- Sweda footi Cauza which soaks all the saline water and thereafter started to plant other species. When the other species began to grow after a time they became so long as to cover the sun and as a result the terror trees couldn’t grow much owing to their requirement for sun. Thus the first biodiversity park was the Yamuna Biodiversity Park which harbours a wide range of ecosystems. Owing to the efforts of the scientists, government and citizens we have come a long way. Numerous varieties of plants and animals have been discovered after the creation of Yamuna Biodiversity Park . Red crested pokyat , Night harols , painted starbirds , Indian hire, leopards, babul, Ishari , wetland grasses, serum munjhila , tifa are few of the many varieties of wildlife species found there . Peshu , Hali and Dodhi are the magnificent bird species found there. Dodhi is also the ancient refrigeratory system. When one cuts Dodhi's leaves a certain type of milk is released and by adding it to the actual milk would help in preventing it from going bad. Thus it was a great saviour in ancient times when there were no refrigerators.

5. YAMUNA BIODIVERSITY PARK

6. LOCATION: Yamuna biodiversity park located on Yamuna river front is a 9770 hectares biodiversity area in Delhi, India . It was developed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) with the technical help of Centre for Environment Management of Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE) , University of Delhi. RESTORATION: The Yamuna Biodiversity Park was developed in two phases in two different areas- on the inactive floodplain of the river in Phase 1 and on the active food plains in Phase 2 . Once this area was acquired in the hear 2002,it was found that the soil was highly alkaline and nutrient impoverished . Many species of grasses such as Leptochloa fusca , Vetiveria zizanoides , Bothriochloa species were utilized not just to increase the nutrient levels but also to initiate microbial activities in the soil. Afterwards , plantation of seedlings of different forest species representing upper, middle and lower canopies was done each year during the monsoons. In addition, landscaping was also done in a few areas by creating mounds of different shapes, heights and sizes.Several marshy areas were restored and wetlands were de-silted.

7. FLORA: The conservatory of medicinal plants consists of over 300 plant species known to have therapeutic values. Some of the most important herbs planted here are ashwangandha ( Withania somnifera ), artimisia , sarpagandha ( Rauwolfia serpentine ), nirgundi ( Vitex negundo ) and isabgol ( Plantago major ). A climber grove was also created here for climbers of medicinal importance such as dama bel , gurmar , antmool , A small lily pond in the medicinal garden houses aquatic plants such as brahmi and bach . The sacred grove houses plant species which have some religious significance. The conservatory of fruit plants , as the name suggests, has plant species that are specially grown in the Yamuna river basin for their fruits. The fruit plants are pomegranate, amla , cheeku , mulberry, kaith etc. FAUNA: Birds such as green pigeons, peafowls, bulbuls and parakeets have carved their niches in this conservatory. T hese wetlands also receive flocks of migratory birds (around 5000) from Siberia and other Palearctic regions every year. Some notable species are the Red-crested Pochard , Northern Shovellor , Eurasian Wigeon , Gadwall etc. The diversity of birds has shown a remarkable increase with specie numbers having risen from 37 to 196 since 2002, while reptiles have increased from 3 to 18 and mammal diversity has increased from 4 to 18.

8. ARAVALI BIODIVERSITY PARK

9. LOCATION: The Aravali Biodiversity Park is situated on the northern most part of Aravali . Aravali Biodiversity Park, as its name suggests is an endeavour to create a forest garden that celebrates forest flora native to the Aravali range. Once a mining site, it is being restored to a native flora garden. It is a joint venture of IAMGURGAON and the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon . PRESERVATION:   Haryana has a substantial part of the Aravali Range located within its boundaries. Unfortunately, the Aravalis have been exploited the most in Haryana. The forests of Aravali are very rich in floral diversity and highly ecosensitive . The landscape of the Aravali Biodiversity Park is hilly, rocky with very little top soil. Native Aravali species are most suitable for this landscape which is semi-arid and mostly rocky. The significance of a forest in balancing environmental degradation within the context of a highly urbanised city like Gurgaon.

10. FLORA: There are native plant experts and naturalists who suggest them the native   Aravali plant species best suited to the sub-habitats within the park. There about 200 species of plants (trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers) that are found in the forests of Northern Aravalis . Some of the spectacular ones are Boswellia serrata ( Salai ), Sterculia urens ( Kullu ), Mitragyna parvifolia ( Kaim ), Lannea coromendelica ( Gurjan ), Anogeissus pendula ( Dhau ) , Diosypros cordifolia ( Bistendu ), Cordia garaf ( Gundi ), Albizzia odorotissima ( Kala SIras ) and Bauhinia racemosa ( Jhinjheri ). FAUNA: They are home to several native species including leopard, Indian rock python, jackals, neelgai , mongooses, porcupines, small Indian civet, gecko, Sirkeer malkoha cuckoo, nightjar, Indian paradise flycatcher. By 2016, the lake was home to over 70 bird species , including migratory birds.

11. TUGHLAQABAD BIODIVERSITY PARK

12. Introduction : Tughlaqabad Fort  is a ruined fort in Delhi, built by  Ghiyas - ud -din Tughlaq , the founder of  Tughlaq dynasty, of the Delhi Sultanate of India in 1321, as he established the fourth historic city of Delhi, which was later abandoned in 1327. It lends its name to the nearby Tughlaqabad residential-commercial area as well as the Tughlaqabad Institutional Area. Tughlaq also built  Qutub-Badarpur  Road, which connected the new city to the Grand Trunk Road. The road is now known as  Mehrauli-Badarpur RoadThe entry fee for the Fort is Rs . 20 for Indians.Also , nearby is  Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range  and Okhla Industrial Area.

13. Restoration : In 2015, Delhi High Court had pulled up DDA for failing to clean up Tughlakabd lake and suggested that since DDA had done good job in maintaining the wetlands in Yamuna Biodiversity Park, the same could be replicated here. In January 2016, the court had directed DDA to provide an expert body’s recommendations to convert the forested district park and the lake near Tughlakabad Fort into a biodiversity park so that an action plan can be formulated. A bench headed by justices BD Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva issued the direction as it felt the local authorities were taking the issue “too lightly” and the expert panels proposal was “ encouraging.”A DDA spokesperson said that the selected sites are home to several species of flora and fauna that are on the verge of extinction. After testing the soil conditions, DDA tried to revive the flora and fauna. According to initial plans, DDA will develop a three-level food chain system — plants, herbivorous and carnivorous animals to maintain a balance of habitat.

14. Flora and Fauna : Flora and Fauna:Aquatic vegetation , including phytoand zoo- plankton will be introduced. Fish that consume algae, floating root mats, water lilies and other macrophytes will be introduced after the water is treated.There is also a proposal to develop a butterfly corner within a recreation park and herbal garden. A peripheral bamboo thicket with 10 species will be developed all along the Maa Anandmai Marg and also on south and north corners of the area to act as a noise barrier and dust trapper . Greenways with walkways will be developed all along the Fort wall.

15. NEELA HAUZ BIODIVERSITY PARK

16. LOCATION: Neela Hauz biodiversity park located on South Central Delhi Ridge of Aravalli range next to Sanjay Van, in Delhi, India, is a 3.90 hectares mini biodiversity and wetland area along Aruna Asaf Ali Road. It lies in the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor . RESTORATION: In 2015, the Delhi Development Authority commenced the work to restore this as a biodiversity area.Lake was desilted , its banks landscaped , water supply was restored with the treated water from the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and native species of plants were reintroduced in 10 acres of the land surrounding the lake.To improve the water quality before water enters the lake, the Constructed Wetland System (CWS) consists of zero energy input physical and biological processes, including 2 oxidation points and 4 filtration ponds/channels.

17. FLORA: 15,000 native plants and shrubs of 75 species from 6 bio communities were planted in 2015-16. Slopes were stabilised by planting the grasses, such as chrysopogon , heteropogon and cenchrus ciliaris . Wetland has restocked with the phytoplankton, zooplankton , free floating and rooted aquatic plant . FAUNA: They are home to several native species including leopard, Indian rock python, jackals, neelgai , mongooses, porcupines, small Indian civet, gecko, Sirkeer malkoha cuckoo, nightjar, Indian paradise flycatcher. By 2016, the lake was home to over 70 bird species , including migratory birds.

18. KAMLA NEHRU BIODIVERSITY PARK

19. LOCATION: Northern Ridge biodiversity park , in Delhi Ridge of Aravalli range is a 87 hectares biodiversity area in the Northern Ridge (also called Kamla Nehru Ridge) in Delhi, India. It lies in the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor. RESTORATION: It was restored in 2014–16 on 87 hectares of Kamla Nehru Ridge (also called Northern Ridge) near Delhi University.The ridge was infested with the invasive species of prosopis juliflora ( Vilayati Babul or Kikar of Mexican origin) , which were planted in the 1920s by the Britisher colonisers to rehabilitate the wasteland. Prosopis juliflora has caused the depletion of the water table due to its 15-m-deep root system , resulting in the death of 450 native species as well as the biodegradation of the flora and fauna. With the view to reintroduce 5,000 native plant species which existed 150 years ago in the ridge, the Vilayati Kikar was replaced with 15 native plant species in 2014.Additional 3-layered native plant species are being planted .

20. Flora: Some of the native species being replanted at several Delhi ridges to replace the invasive Vilayati Kikar include mahua , haldu , sheesham , bael , other shrubs and grasses . Fauna: Several ridges of Delhi are being restored to revive the native species including leopard, Indian rock python, jackals, neelgai , mongooses, porcupines, small Indian civet, gecko, Sirkeer malkoha cuckoo, nightjar, Indian paradise flycatcher .

21. TILAPATH BIODIVERSITY PARK

22. LOCATION: Tilpath Valley Biodiversity Park, is a 172 acre biodiversity area in the South Delhi Ridge within the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor, northwest of Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, south of Sainik Farm. RESTORATION: Previously this area had the valleys dotted with sand-mined quarries, dried up springs due to lack of recharging of groundwater, no forest cover except the invasive weed species of prosopis juliflora ( vilayati kikar ), lantana and parthenium . During the restoration, invasive foreign species were replaced with the three layers of forest community: native trees, shrubs and grassland. Scrubland was restored to attract the reptiles and birds. In 2015 , 40,000 volunteers planted over 100,000 trees within 6 hours . In 2016 , 20,000 trees were planted by the volunteers .

23. Flora: The park now has the grasslands, hilly terrain with over 105 trees and shrubs species . Native species include mahua , haldu , sheesham and bael . Fauna: In 2016, the park was teeming with over 103 bird species , 32 butterflies species , 15 herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) species and 8 mammalian species including leopard, Indian rock python, jackals, neelgai .

24. SOUTH BIODIVERSITY PARK

25. Currently, Delhi has six biodiversity parks that include the Kamla Nehru Ridge (Civil Lines), Yamuna biodiversity park ( Wazirabad ), Aravali Biodiversity park ( Vasant Vihar ), Tilpath Valley and one that is located right behind Tughlakabad Fort and the Neela Hauz lake .The capital is all set to get South Biodiversity , marking its seventh biodiversity park. While the primary aim of the initiative is to remove the water hyacinths from the river and thereby improve the water quality, this further marks a new milestone as it is the first time that a constructed wetland system is set to be built on a river. Once successful, this model can be replicated for other rivers as well . Located right next to the DND flyway , the South Biodiversity park has recently been approved of by the Delhi Development Authority, which owns the land and has allocated around two crore rupees for development of the biodiversity park on the Yamuna floodplain over the next five years.Led by ecologist CR Babu , a team of scientists is slated to work on the project.

26. A model that may be similar to Delhi’s Neela Hauz is currently underway. However, for developing Delhi’ s 7th biodiversity park , the challenges are several.For instance, the site is currently a dumping area for construction debris. Worse, it is an open defecation ground for nearby slum dwellers as the open discharge of sewage from colonies from across the Ring Road present problems related to public health and hygiene.Developing biodiversity parks are essential to the changing dynamics of the Indian city landscape. Rapid urbanization, high levels of population and the excessive exploitation of natural resources are eroding the diversity of the flora and fauna of most rivers in the country today. To restore the lost regional diversity within growing cities and urban areas, there is an urgent need to create a healthy ecosystem and the creation of more biodiversity parks in the region are a step forward in the right direction.

27. REFERENCES https :// dda.org.in/greens/biodiv/yamuna-biodiversity-park.html https:// dda.org.in/greens/biodiv/aravalli-biodiversity-park.html https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/delhis-7th-biodiversity-park-can-be-a-game-changer-for-other-rivers-in-the-country/1547581 / https:// www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/once-a-dumping-ground-neela-hauz-now-a-soothing-site-119051700243_1.html https:// timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/two-years-on-tilpath-valley-biodiversity-park-breathes-again/articleshow/63035604.cms http://delhigreens.com/2017/06/04/tughlaqabad-biodiversity-park-celebrate-first-environment-day / https:// www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2019/sep/10/a-wealth-of-biodiversity-in-delhis-own-backyard-2031497.html Note:- We would also like to thank Bhushan Sir of our college’s Enviromental Science department for his able guidance.

28. THANK YOU