Aravali Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon

Last updated

Aravali Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon
Aravalli BDPark 2015-01-17-021.jpg
Aravali Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon trail
Aravali Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon
TypeNatural Area
Location Gurgaon, Haryana
Nearest city Gurgaon
Coordinates 28°29′00″N77°06′43″E / 28.483213°N 77.111888°E / 28.483213; 77.111888
Area153.7 hectares
Created2010 (2010)
Operated byMunicipal Corporation of Gurgaon and Iamgurgaon
Open5:30 am - 11:00 am and 3:00pm - 6:30 pm (in summer)
6:00 am - 5:30 pm (in winter)
StatusOpen

Aravali diversity-bio Park, Gurgaon, (or Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon) spreads over 392 acres, [1] near the Guru Dronacharya metro station in Gurgaon, Haryana, India. The park, contains ecologically restored and semi arid land vegetation. The park was opened to the public on World Environment Day, 5 June 2010. [2] The park includes a number of trails and a native plant nursery and interpretive displays at the entrance. In 2022, the park was declared India's first OECM site- a tag given by the IUCN to areas that are not protected but support rich biodiversity. [2] [3] In April 2021, Municipal Corporation of Gurugram signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hero MotoCorp Ltd to maintain the park for 10 year.

Contents

Plant and animal life

The natural vegetation of the park falls within the Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest (including Anogeissus pendula and Boswellia forest edaphic sub-types) and Northern Tropical Thorn Forest types recognised by Champion and Seth. [4] The park has over 300 species of native plants, including a large number of arid region lithophytes. [5]

Over 185 bird species are reported from the park, which is an eBird hotspot. [6] A recent study found a wide variety of native bird species using the park, with ecologically restored areas showed higher encounter rates of birds than unrestored areas with weeds. [7] Reptiles like Bengal monitor and mammals like northern or five-striped palm squirrel, nilgai, golden jackal, Indian hare, common palm civet, and Indian grey mongoose, are found in the park.

Restoration

The site where the Aravali Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon, is located had many mining pits operating during the 1980s and 1990s, and also a stone crushing zone with eight active crushers. Mining and stone crushing came to a halt after a Supreme Court ban in 2002, implemented only since 2009. The mining activities and other disturbances had resulted in barren hill slopes, a deep water table, and poor soil cover. The remnant forests on the site were highly degraded and invaded by Prosopis juliflora (locally known as vilayati keekar or baavlia). [5]

In 2010, a group of concerned and passionate citizens called 'iamgurgaon', [8] consisting of Latika Thukral, [9] Swanzal Kak Kapoor, Atal Kapoor, Gayatri Singh and the Late Atal Kapoor took up the initiative of ecological restoration of the Aravali Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon. They hired ecological restoration practitioner Vijay Dhasmana [10] to restore the damaged landscape in 2011. Thereafter the vision was revised to bring back the original Aravali forest vegetation of the region. Seedlings of about 200 native plant species were raised from seeds collected from remnant natural forests and vegetated areas in Mangar, Nahargarh, and Kumbhalgarh in the Aravalli Range. Invasive alien species such as Prosopis juliflora were carefully removed and native plants of the Aravalli Range were planted. These included native species such as Boswellia serrata (local name: salai), Sterculia urens (kullu), Anogeissus pendula (dhau), Holarhenna pubescens (indrajao), Mitragyna parvifolia (kaim), Wrightia tinctoria (khirni), Commiphora wightii (guggul), Helicteris isora (marodphali), Albizia odorotissima (kala basa), Mallotus philippensis (sinduri) and many others. A large part of seedlings planted were watered through drip irrigation. The Park also maintains a variety of habitats including grasslands and a seasonal pond near an old quarry site. [5]

Native Plants Nursery

The native plants nurseries are managed by Iamgurgaon, a local non-profit, that manages the park along with the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon. The nurseries, named Aranya and Vanaja were created in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The seedlings are planted out for ecological restoration of the park area each year during the monsoon. Over 160 native plant species have been raised and planted out in the park. [5]

Controversies

In October 2018, the park came under the spotlight due to a proposed 6 lane highway which would run through the park. Various citizen groups as well as Gurugram residents stood up in support of preserving the park and preventing the highway from being constructed. [11] [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aravalli Range</span> Mountain range in western India

The Aravalli Range is a mountain range in Northern-Western India, running approximately 670 km (420 mi) in a south-west direction, starting near Delhi, passing through southern Haryana, Rajasthan, and ending in Ahmedabad Gujarat. The highest peak is Guru Shikhar on Mount Abu at 1,722 m (5,650 ft). The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest geological features on Earth, having its origin in the Proterozoic era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khathiar–Gir dry deciduous forests</span> Ecoregion in India

The Khathiar–Gir dry deciduous forests is a mostly arid ecoregion in northwestern India that stretches over 103,100 sq mi (267,000 km2) across Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The dry deciduous forests in the region are dominated by teak, and thorny trees and scrub in drier areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gurgaon district</span> District in Haryana, India

Gurgaon district, officially known as Gurugram district, is one of the 22 districts of Haryana in northern India. The city of Gurgaon is the administrative headquarters of the district. The population is 1,514,432. It is one of the southern districts of Haryana. On its north, it is bounded by the district of Jhajjar and the Union Territory of Delhi. Faridabad district lies to its east. To its south lie the districts of Palwal and Nuh. To the west lies Rewari district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delhi Ridge</span> Park in New Delh, India

Delhi Ridge, sometimes simply called The Ridge, is a ridge in the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor in the National Capital Territory of Delhi in India. It is a northern extension of the ancient Aravalli Range, some 1.5 billion years old. The ridge consists of quartzite rocks and extends from the southeast at Tughlaqabad, near the Bhatti mines, branching out in places and tapering off in the north near Wazirabad on the west bank of the river Yamuna, covering about 35 kilometres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surajkund</span> Reservoir in Haryana state, India

Surajkund is an ancient reservoir of the 10th century located on Southern Delhi Ridge of Aravalli range in Faridabad city of Haryana state about 8 km from South Delhi. Surajkund is an artificial Kund built in the backdrop of the Aravalli hills with an amphitheatre shaped embankment constructed in semicircular form. It is said to have been built by the king Surajpal of the Tomara Rajputs in the 10th century. Tomar, a younger son of Anangpal Tomar – the Rajput ruler of Delhi, was a sun worshipper and he had therefore built a Sun temple on its western bank. Surajkund is known for its annual fair "Surajkund International Craft Mela", 2015 edition of this fair was visited by 1.2 million visitors including 160,000 foreigners with more than 20 countries participating in it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kukrail Reserve Forest</span>

Kukrail Reserve Forest, an urban forest created in 1950s as a plantation forest, is located about 9 km northwest from Lucknow city centre in the Uttar Pradesh state of India. It has a captive breeding and conservation center for the freshwater gharials, one of the 3 native species of crocodiles in India.The Kukrail river flows through it.

Bandhwari is a village dominated by Gurjar community in Gurgaon district in the Indian state of Haryana. It is an important biodiversity area contiguous to Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary within the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor. Bandhwari is also nicknamed the "strong village

Gwal Pahari is a village dominated by Gurjar community in Gurugram Mandal in the Gurugram District of Haryana state, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary</span> Wildlife sanctuary near Delhi, India

Asola-Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary covering 32.71 km2 area on the Southern Delhi Ridge of Aravalli hill range on Delhi-Haryana border lies in Southern Delhi as well as northern parts of Faridabad and Gurugram districts of Haryana state. Biodiversity significance of Ridge lies in its merger with Indo-Gangetic plains, as it is the part of the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor, an important wildlife corridor which starts from the Sariska National Park in Rajasthan, passes through Nuh, Faridabad and Gurugram districts of Haryana and ends at Delhi Ridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damdama Lake</span> Lake in Haryana, India

Damdama reservoir in Sohna, near Gurugram city in Gurugram district in the Indian state of Haryana. Damdama Lake is a small lake in Haryana and was formed when a stone and earthen dam constructed by the British was commissioned for rain water harvesting in 1947. The lake, held by an embankment, is fed mainly by monsoon rain pouring into a trough at the base of the Aravali hills. The lake greets visitors with a water level down to 20 ft (6.1 m). During monsoon the water level reaches up to 50 ft (15 m) - 70 ft (21 m).

The Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Seonthi Reserve Forest, is located near Kurukshetra University in Kurukshetra district in the Indian state of Haryana. Baba Rodanath Dera temple is on the periphery of the Chhilchhila Sanctuary.

Forests Department, Haryana is a department of the Government of Haryana, a state in India, that runs and maintains many protected nature areas in the state of Haryana. It has two administrative divisions: Forest and Wildlife. The department is responsible for maintaining National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Conservation Reserves in Haryana. It also provides a special emphasis on Soil and Moisture Conservation works in the hills to conserve water and deliver it to adjacent farmlands. Two National Parks, eight Wildlife Sanctuaries, two Conservation Reserves, four Animal & Bird Breeding Centres, one Deer park, and 49 herbal parks. Kanwar Pal Gujjar has been the cabinet minister responsible for this department since October 2019. constitute the Protected Area network of the department, covering 0.75% of the state. It also maintains a list of Protected Areas in Haryana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basai Wetland</span> Wetland in Haryana, India

Basai wetland, located in Basai village in Gurgaon tehsil in Gurgaon district in Haryana, India, is a flora and fauna rich water body. It is recognised as one of India's Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and is of global conservation significance as it supports populations of several endangered, vulnerable, and threatened bird species. Basai wetlandis recognised globally as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the BirdLife International housing 20,000 birds of over 280 species including migratory birds and endangered birds, has not yet been declared a protected wetland by the Government of Haryana.

Pali is a bhadana's village Pali is an Indian village in the NIT area of Faridabad city of Faridabad district under Faridabad Lok Sabha constituency of Haryana state, well known for being biggest crusher zone of Asia, that also has a seasonal waterfall. It is the part of the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor, an important wildlife corridor which starts from the Sariska National Park in Rajasthan, passes through Nuh, Faridabad and Gurugram districts of Haryana and ends at Delhi Ridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park</span>

Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, spreads over 72 hectares, near the historic Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. The park contains ecologically restored desert and arid land vegetation. The park was created in 2006 to try and restore the natural ecology of a large, rocky area adjoining and below the fort. It was opened to the public in February 2011. The area in and around the park contains distinctive volcanic rock and sandstone formations. The park includes a Visitors Centre with Interpretation Gallery, a native plant nursery, small shop and cafe. There are four trails, about 880 m to 1115 m long, that visitors can take and trained guides and naturalists are also available.

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.

Northern Ridge biodiversity park, in Delhi Ridge of Aravalli range is a 87 hectares biodiversity area in the Northern Ridge in Delhi, India. It lies in the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor.

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.

Mangar Bani, a paleolithic archaeological site and sacred grove hill forest next to the Mangar village on Delhi-Haryana border; is in the South Delhi Ridge of Aravalli mountain range in Faridabad tehsil of Faridabad district in the Indian state of Haryana. It lies, immediate south of India's national capital Delhi, within NCR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajesh Khullar</span> Diplomat and IAS officer, India

Rajesh Khullar is a high-ranking Indian official and Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Haryana. Previously, he served on the board of the World Bank Group as India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka's representative. Khullar belongs to the IAS, India’s elite civil service, tasked with commanding policy, governance, and administration nationwide.

References

  1. ↑ "Aravali Biodiversity Park, Gurugram, Haryana". ERA India. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Aravalli Bio Diversity Park – I am Gurgaon". iamgurgaon.org. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  3. ↑ Roy, Suparna (3 February 2022). "Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Gurugram declared as India's first OECM site". hindustantimes.com. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  4. ↑ Champion, Harry G.; Seth, S. K. (1968). A revised survey of the forest types of India. New Delhi: Manager of Publications, Government of India.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Dhasmana, Vijay. 2016. Healing Touch: Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon. Archived 23 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Journal of Landscape Architecture49: 18-25.
  6. ↑ ebird. "eBird--Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon". eBird. Retrieved 27 July 2017.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ Bansal, Misha. 2017. Evaluating the impact of ecological restoration on the bird community of Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Gurugram. M. Sc. Dissertation, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
  8. ↑ "iamgurgaon – Work Together. Make a Difference" . Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  9. ↑ "Turning the city green, a million trees at a time". Hindustan Times. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  10. ↑ https://therewilders.in . Retrieved 27 November 2022.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ↑ "Thousands gather to protest NHAI's road plan in Aravali Biodiversity Park".
  12. ↑ "Citizens protest planned road through Aravali Biodiversity Park".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.