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Degraded Land Reborn: Delhi's Yamuna Park Thrives
1 Nov
Summary
- Yamuna Biodiversity Park transformed a degraded alkaline and saline area.
- The park is home to over 1,000 plant and 200 bird species.
- A unique academic-administration collaboration led to the park's success.
The Yamuna Biodiversity Park (YBP), located near Wazirabad in Delhi, has undergone a significant ecological transformation. Previously degraded, alkaline, and saline land, the area now thrives as a self-sustaining natural ecosystem. This remarkable achievement is the result of a project conceptualized in 2002 and a rare collaboration between Delhi University and the Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE).
Spanning 457 acres, YBP is a mosaic of wetlands, grasslands, and more, playing a crucial role in water purification. The park boasts an impressive biodiversity, including 1,017 plant species, 203 bird species, and 82 kinds of butterflies. Efforts focused on restoring the land using eco-friendly initiatives like salt-eating brown-bottle grass and green manure.
Under the guidance of ecologist R C Bahuguna and biodiversity expert Faiyaz Khudsar, YBP was meticulously shaped. The park, which became functional in 2012, now attracts approximately 100 visitors daily, offering free entry and guided tours. It serves as a vital green space and a model for ecological rejuvenation.
