Reviving biodiversity on Yamuna bank (Times of India 15 February 2011)

NEW DELHI: Rapid urbanization along the Yamuna riverfront has taken its toll on the flora and fauna. In an attempt to preserve the "natural heritage" of the riverfront, around 45km of land along the Yamuna bed — from Palla to Okhla barrage — will be converted into a biodiversity park to revive the ecosystem in this area. The project has been taken up by Delhi Development Authority, along with Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems of Delhi University. It will include revival of wetlands along the river. These wetlands will help recharge the groundwater level and also, in storing flood water. "The riverfront will be a mosaic of wetlands interspersed with grasslands and several forest communities. We hope that plantation along the area will attract wildlife similar to the kind that is found in Bharatpur sanctuary once the project is over," said CR Babu, project incharge of Biodiversity Parks Programme.
A variety of grasses will be grown in this area along with aquatic plants. The proposed forest communities include Bombax dominated, Syzygium dominated , Terminalia tomentosa, Holoptelia dominated , Terminalia Arjuna dominated.
"The plantation will help stabilize sediments along the river besides attracting a wider range of wildlife. The wetlands — many of which were made redundant due to agricultural activity on this land — will help provide catchment area for rainwater and will recharge groundwater. These will also help prevent flooding in the city. The water can be stored at different depths and will ensure ecological diversity in the area," added Babu. There will be treatment wetlands also which will help treat the downstream water. Vegetation and green plants, which support microbes, will be planted around such wetlands so that it can work on the particulate organic matter. According to scientists at the Yamuna Biodiversity Park, the wetlands will be developed into "aquatic parks". This project comprises the Yamuna biodiversity park and work under phase-II also includes setting up food courts and amphitheatre. The project will cost Rs 12 crore. Work will also start soon along the 9,770 hectares of Yamuna riverfront. "We had started some work at the Yamuna riverfront biodiversity last year but it was discontinued as PWD was carrying out work on Ring Road bypass. The project has been divided into three zones. One zone is the biodiversity park, the other a recreational zone and the third zone helps in integrating the first two zones. Plant species which can sustain floods and sandy soil conditions will be planted," said a DDA official. Once the 45-km biodiversity park is created people can walk or cycle from Wazirabad to Okhla along the pathways identified in this area.