Aravali Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon

Aravali Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon, (or Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon) spreads over 153.7 hectares, near the Guru Dronacharya metro station in Gurgaon, Haryana, India. The park, contains ecologically restored desert and arid land vegetation. The park was opened to the public on World Environment Day, 5 June 2010.^[1] The park includes a number of trails and a native plant nursery and interpretive displays at the entrance.

Plant and animal life

The park has many species of native plants, including a large number of arid region lithophytes.

Over 175 bird species are reported from the park, which is an eBird hotspot.^[2] 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.^[3] Mammals include free-ranging dogs and northern or five-striped palm squirrel.

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  Long-billed Pipit
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  Black Drongo
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  Lesser Whitethroat
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  Steppe Eagle
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  White-eared Bulbul

Restoration

Ecological restoration was carried out in the Aravali Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon, to remove invasive alien plants and bring back the original Aravali forest vegetation of the region. Invasive alien species such as Prosopis juliflora (local name baavlia), were carefully removed and native plants of the Aravalli Range were planted. The Park also maintains a variety of habitats including grasslands and a seasonal pond near an old quarry site.

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  Habitat and sapling with tree guard
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  Saplings being taken for restoration planting
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  Restoration planting

Native Plants Nursery

A native plants nursery is managed by Iamgurgaon, a local non-profit, that manages the park along with the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon. The seedlings are planted out for ecological restoration of the park area each year during the monsoon. Over 40 native plant species have been raised and planted out in the park.

References