WORLD CLASS BIODIVERSITY PARKS

WORLD CLASS BIODIVERSITY PARKS
N
latifolia, Sterculia urens and Boswellia
serrata now thrive in the Yamuna
Biodiversity Park.
ow Nature lovers have exciting
new havens to explore… right
here in Delhi. Not the typical
parks or verdant city forests, but giant
un-spoilt sanctuaries actually beeming
with wildlife!
The Parks are also witnessing natural
regeneration of existing species and
increase in diverse animal, bird &
plant communities. The canopies of
growing trees & shrubs have attracted
creatures like the Monitor Lizard,
Civet, Nilgai and Jackal. Likewise,
birds like Red Crested Pochard, Pond
Heron, Darter and Shikra have now
become regular residents here.
These are the amazing Yamuna and
Aravalli Biodiversity Parks that have
been established by DDA to restore
the region’s legacy of flora & fauna
that stands threatened by continuing
development.
The first of their kind in India
The two Parks are part of an
effort to not only create
world class repositories of
endangered species of
plants, insects, birds &
animals, but also develop
tranquil green expanses for
relaxation and leisure.
In a joint initiative between DDA and
the Centre for Environmental
Management of Degraded
Ecosystems (CEMDE), the Parks
have been designed with great care &
expertise. Segregated ‘Nature
Reserve’ and ‘Visitor’ Zones ensure a
perfect balance between pristine ecosystems and human activity.
Inspiration for the future
To enjoy them, you don’t need to
travel abroad anymore!
The landscape itself comprises
developed wetlands & grasslands that
include modules like conservatories
for breeding butterflies & insects;
orchidariums for orchids & fernarium
for ferns; rangelands that support
small mammals like mongoose, wild
hare & porcupines; and herbal
gardens that preserve medicinal
plants.
Hosting innumerable species
Between them, both Yamuna &
Aravalli Biodiversity Parks are home
to over 2,500 species of flora & fauna.
Together, the two Parks also
receive over 20,000
migratory birds every year
-- placing them among the leading
such destinations in the world.
Besides conserving endangered
varieties of both flora & fauna for
posterity, the Parks are playing a pathbreaking role in breeding many rare
species that are ‘firsts’ in India, or for
the Capital.
These include species like the Bar
Headed Goose, the Eurasian Eagle
Owl, the Mabuyya Dissimilis Skink,
and the Tortoise Shell Himalayan
Butterfly. Even the Mahua tree has
flowered & borne fruit for the first time
in the region.
Indian Fritillary, Striped Tiger, and the
tiny Grass Jewel are the rare
varieties among the 80 species of
butterflies in the Aravalli
Park alone. Endangered
rare plants like Anogeissus
With both Parks evolving into world
class models for conservation of
endangered species, DDA has
notified plans for four
more such biodiversity
enclaves in Delhi.
These are at the
Northern Ridge (covering 87 ha),
Tilpath Valley (70 ha), Yamuna
Riverfront (9770 ha), and the Neela
Hauz area (3.9 ha).
Simultaneously, DDA has also
established the Delhi Biodiversity
Foundation, as a policy formulation &
management body for all biodiversity
parks in the Capital.
OPAL
The Yamuna Biodiversity Park is
spread over 457 acres at Wazirabad,
on the basin of the river Yamuna. The
Aravalli Biodiversity Park spans 692
acres of the South Central Ridge near
Vasant Vihar.
DELHI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Laying the foundation for a greener & healthier Delhi
www.dda.org.in