Class 8 Visited the Aravalli Biodiversity Park
February, 2018

Students of class 8 visited the Aravalli Biodiversity Park and enriched their understanding about the rich flora and fauna right in the middle of a busy urban set up. A fifteen minutes drive from our school, the park reminds us that we need to learn how to live in coherence with nature.

A biologist research student at the Biodiversity Park informed us that the area was primarily a mining area in 2004. Mica, a mineral (used in computers) and Badarpur sand(used in construction) were mainly mined here. The mining has left 100 or so ditches in the park which is roughly 700 acres in area. The forests in 2004 were mainly Prosopis juliflora,a plant imported from Mexico.
Presently the area is a preserve for numerous species native to the Aravallis such as jackals, nilgai , peacocks and sparrows. The work done to conserve the flora and fauna is extraordinary as most of the ditches are now filled with greenery and wildlife. It is a beautiful escape from the city life for the citizens of Delhi. The Orchid conservatory is located in a mining ditch with several artificially created ponds and sprinklers making it humid enough for orchids to thrive. The park has important medicinal plants, a butterfly garden and a Bat conservatory.
I feel that preserving the wildlife and biodiversity is important in Delhi as this park and Sanjay Van are practically the only forests left in this part of Delhi. It also gives the tiny sparrows and shy jackals a place to live without human intervention. The nilgai live here too, basking in the greenery and beauty of both parks.This also helps clean up the pollution plaguing our city. By preserving the animals, we are preserving the food chain and allowing future generations to see these animals instead of looking at images of the extinct nilgai or jackals.I truly beleive the Aravalli Biodiversity Park shows the best of the city and protects the free spirit of Delhi.

Jehan Singh Bhandal
Class 8B