Big biodiversity in small city forest

NEW DELHI: It's not all concrete in the capital. Delhi's city forests are not just lung spaces but have thriving biodiversity. The forest department has released a field guide to the biodiversity of Garhi Mandu city forest that has mapped more than 147 species of fauna and 65 species of flora in the small green patch in north-east Delhi. It took the department over a year to document these and it's hopeful that the guide would help people understand the relevance of city forests in the lives of the capital's residents.

While a large number of wetland birds and butterflies were seen by scientists compiling the field book, forest officials say that there is a healthy distribution of mammals as well. "I have seen jackals here several times. There are wild hare, mongoose and nilgai. Once people know there is a small forest here, they will try not to disturb the place," a forest official, who works in Garhi Mandu, said.

The field guide also lists major threats to Garhi Mandu forest and the wetlands surrounding it. The department has observed that several rare butterfly and bird species are not seen here anymore because of swift habitat destruction. People of Garhi Mandu village often dump huge amounts of non-biodegradable garbage and debris along the banks of the wetlands and within the forest area. Grazing by domestic cattle and nilgai have also affected the vegetation.

The Garhi Mandu city forest is very prone to flooding as most of the Yamuna flood plains have been encroached upon and have lost the capacity to soak up excess water. A canal is used to draw water from Yamuna for the wetlands. Sewage water and pesticides from the farm run-off are also threatening the existence of species in the wetland and small organisms of the forest, adds the report.

The forest department has suggested some conservation strategies for the area. "We plan to develop mounds around the wetlands so people are not able to throw garbage. Seeds of babool and ziziphus may be sown on mounds so that a green camouflage is created to protect the wetlands," said G N Sinha, head of forest department.

"Garhi Mandu is a continuation of the flood plains of river Yamuna and is very rich in local biodiversity. It can act as a counter to flooding, increase the groundwater recharge potential and protect local biodiversity," M Shah Hussain, scientist-in-charge of Aravali Biodiversity Park, said.