Delhi Ridge - Aravali Biodiversity Park

Aravali Biodiversity Park

The Aravali Biodiversity Park is an area spreading over 692 acres (2.80 km2) on the South Central Delhi Ridge within the Aravalli Range. The area is confined by JNU, the Mehrauli - Mahipalpur road, NH-8 and the Palam road and the southern boundary of Vasant Vihar,Delhi. Delhi Development Authority and University of Delhi under a joint programme, Biodiversity Parks Programme maintains the area. Every year a substantial amount of money is spent in restoration, development and maintenance.

The Land under Aravali Bio diversity Park was once a site for mining. Martha Shinde (Scindias) had a mining lease for the 2.3 km² area. They plundered out whatever they could. For years Shinde exploited forest resources including minerals, mica, sand, stone, rocks and water. Land, which once was covered with a dense forest, soon turned into pits and hillocks. A systematic planting program is carried out and every year native trees and bushes are planted to remove unwanted weeds, i.e. Prosopis juliflora. Scientists from Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems, University of Delhi have so far got over 10 ecosystems reintroduced with over 40 biotic communities. Portions of Aravali, which comes under Gujarat, are covered with natural dense forest. However, The land on which Aravali Biodiversity Park is being developed, was devoid of such natural growth of forest due to extensive mining of the area. Center for Environment Management & Degraded Ecosystem (Delhi University) works closely with Delhi Development Authority and has plans to revive native flora and Fauna of Aravalli hill ranges. Planting of native species like Dhau (Anogeissus pendula), Babul (Acacia nilotica), Kair (Capparis decidua),and Dhak (Butea monosperma)etc. has been carried out. A Rangeland with native grasses has been developed. A Conservatory of Butterflies, orchidarium and fernary has been developed.

It is believed that Aravallis are one of the oldest mountain ranges in India which evolved around 1500 million years ago. Range extends from Gujarat through Rajasthan to Haryana-Delhi. In Delhi the spurs of the Aravallis are commonly called as the Delhi Ridge which is divided into the Northern, Central, South Central and Southern Ridge. The Aravali Biodiversity Park on Gurgaon-Delhi border, developed by the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon was inaugurated on June 5, 2010, World Environment Day