Biodiversity

Biography

Biography: C R Babu

Abstract

Urbanization led to the elimination of natural heritage in the matrix of urban development. One way to conserve the natural heritage including native flora and fauna is the establishment of Biodiversity Parks as a part of urban infrastructure in the city matrix. Biodiversity Park is an innovative concept and represents a unique landscape where plant species native to the area are assembled into diverse plant communities which in turn promote the ecological succession of animal communities leading to development of ecosystems characteristic to the area. The Biodiversity Parks have conservational, educational and cultural values and generate a wide range of ecological services ranging from recharging ground water to climate change to providing recreation to the urban community. The Biodiversity Park concept was first developed and implemented in Delhi by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in collaboration with CEMDE. Six Biodiversity Parks covering an area of about 25,000 acres are being developed. Two functional Biodiversity Parks; the Yamuna Biodiversity Park (YBP) and the Aravalli Biodiversity Park (ABP) have already been established and become Nature Reserves of Delhi. The YBP spreads over an area of 457 acres and preserve the natural heritage of Yamuna River basin. It has mosaic of wetlands and terrestrial communities representing some 1500 species of plants and animals (excluding soil and benthic invertebrates). The Aravalli Biodiversity Park spreads over an area of 692 acres and preserves the natural heritage of the oldest Aravalli mountain ranges. It has some 1700 species of plants and animals (vertebrates and butterflies) living in some 35 communities