Explore the Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park : A Green Oasis In Urban Delhi
Explore the Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park : A Green Oasis In Urban Delhi
Introduction
A biodiversity park is a protected area dedicated to preserving the natural variety of life forms including plants, animals, birds and microorganisms within their ecosystems. These parks play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting conservation efforts and providing educational and recreational opportunities for visitors.
Neela Hauz is an example of Biodiversity park. Around 10,000 plants have been planted around the lake .There is also a butterfly corner ,a landscape garden and Tejendra point ( we can enjoy the beauty of forest,watch flora , fauna,Qutub Minar,Bhul Bhullaya ,Lal Coat and Nazariya peer from Tejendra Point ) inside the Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park.
At present , Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park with its rejuvenated lake has become a recreational centre in the area and daily hundreds of people visit the Park. The rejuvenated Neela Hauz lake has clean water , reptiles, Animals and birds (resident and migratory birds).
History
Neela Hauz Biodiversity park spreads over an area of 3.9 hectares. It was the largest natural water body source in South Delhi at that time. In 2010 , An overbridge (Aruna Asaf Ali Bridge) was constructed over the lake and this turned Neela Hauz into a dumping ground. The residents of JNU and other neighbourhood communities filed a petition in the High Court of Delhi. In 2012 ,Delhi High Court ordered Delhi Development Authority ( DDA) to restore the
lake and then Delhi appointed Professor CR Babu of Delhi University Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystem ( CEMDE) for restoration of lake . Professor CR Babu and his team worked on the idea of CWS for 2 years to treat the sewage water .The sewage water that enters into the lake now flows through a Constructed Wetland System developed ( CWS)and operates on zero energy budget and makes the sewage water into clean water.
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Figure 3: Neela Hauz Biodiversity park layout
Location and Accessibility
Location :
The Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park located in Central Delhi near Sanjay Van, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg , Vasant Kunj.
Accessibility :
By Road :Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park can be reached by bus through Abdul Gaffar Marg.
By metro : Reaching Neela Hauz biodiversity park by metro is easy and more convenient. Qutub Minar Metro Station is the nearest metro station of Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park.
Timing and Entry fee
Timing :
The park welcome's visitors from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Entry Free :
The entry fee for visitors to visit the park is absolutely free.
Entry Gates
We can enter inside Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park through five different gates.
Process of Restoration : Delhi's Neela Hauz lake Using CWS (Kidney of Earth)
In 2016,the lake was desilted up to a depth of 9 feet and the desilted material was used for landscaping all around the lake. Within a year, a design was made that can treat a million of wastewater per day. The wastewater treatment is a result of complex interaction between sediment ,root zone,detritus water , air plants and microbes. It includes in situ remediation through two oxidation ponds, filtration zone and aquatic plant with zero input energy.
CWS treats waste water in two step process :
Step 1 :The water coming from Kishangarh or Vasant Kunj Nala is stored in an oxidation pond for 24 to 28 hours where the aerobic bacteria breaks all the organic Material by using atmospheric oxygen.
Step 2 :After that water is stored in oxidation pond 2, where aquatic plants (Lemma , Alternaria )absorb nitrates and phosphates from wastewater and improve the water quality.
After that the water is then passed through a filtration zone which is divided into 3 treatment tanks ( Tank 1 has small pebbles, Tank 2 has smaller pebbles and Tank 3 has smallest pebbles ) having pebbles of different size. These 3 tanks remove particulate organic matter of all sizes .
In the next step ,water flows through the main wetland which has a series of seven ridges and eight furrows alternating with each other . The ridges have gravels to remove sludge and other fine particles from water . The furrows contain aquatic plants where microbes are present in the rhizosphere region of aquatic plants ( Typha & Phragmites) which reduces biotoxins present in water and finally water enters the lake.
Figure 5 :Diagrammatic representation on Design of Constructed Wetland System
( CWS)
( kajal gupta)
Figure 6 : Video on Neela Hauz Biodiversity park
Plant and Animal Communities of Neela Hauz Lake
Plant Communities:
The surrounding of the lake has been planted with the thousands of saplings of native tree species. Submerged, free floating and rooted water plants, phytoplankton and zooplankton have been introduced in the water body. Grasses such as Chrysopogon, Heteropogan and Cenchrus have been planted to stabilize slopes around the water body . It also has pollinator friendly plants and is protected from pesticides to provide valuable habitat for butterflies ,bees and other pollinators.
Some plants are found in the park are :
Phoenix dactylifera ( fruit plant), Ficus religiosa ( sacred plant ), Prosopis juliflora, Tecomella undulata ( fragrant flower) , Butea monosperma (flame of forest) , Toona ciliata, Justicia adhatoda (medicinal cure - cold and cough) Typha and Phragmites ( stabilize soil )
The Neela Hauz supports a diverse animal community that includes several species of butterflies ,reptiles, birds and mammals etc.
Insects (Butterflies) : About 25 species of butterfly and more than 50 species of other insects have been found in the park. These include Cabbage Butterfly ,Blue Pansy, Yellow Pansy, Peacock Pansy, Common Leopard Butterfly, Common Crow Butterfly, Plain Tiger Butterfly etc.
Birds :About 70 species of birds have been found in the park . Some of these are
1.Terrestrial birds : Asian Koel, Brown Headed Barbet, Shikara, Common Pochard, Common Sandpaper,Red Whiskered, Bulbul ,Jungle Bubble and Dove.
2.Aquatic birds :Northern Showler, Indian spot - billed Duck, Little Egret, Grey Herow, Common Redshank.
Mammals : Indian Gray Mongoose, Common Palm Civet and Nilgai etc. have been found in the park. These help in seed dispersal, pest control and pollination.
Figure 8: Water Birds Of Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park
Best time to visit the Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park
The best time to visit Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park is during the months of October to March, when the weather is pleasant and good for outdoor activities.
Conclusion
Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park is a shining example of urban conservation and community-led initiatives. This 3.9 hectare haven in the heart of Delhi has transformed from a neglected water body to a thriving ecosystem and supports over 1000 plant species, 70 bird species and various butterflies, reptiles and amphibians.Visit this Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park to reconnect with nature and contribute to its preservation.
References
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You tube Video link
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