1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
The overarching goal is the conservation and preservation of ecosystems of the two major life-supporting systems of Delhi, the river Yamuna and the Aravalli hills. The more detailed goals are:
1. To conserve biodiversity, especially the native biodiversity of Delhi and to protect the natural heritage of the ridge and river basin.
2. To establish field gene banks for threatened landraces and wild genetic resources.
3. To develop a mosaic of treatment and catchment wetlands that not only improve the water quality of untreated sewage but also sustain the rich aquatic flora and fauna of the Yamuna and monitor short term and long term changes in the ecology of the Delhi region.
4. To render multiple ecological services including carbon sequestration and recharge of groundwater aquifers.
5. To create educational and recreational benefits for the urban society. [2, 3]
1. To conserve biodiversity, especially the native biodiversity of Delhi and to protect the natural heritage of the ridge and river basin.
2. To establish field gene banks for threatened landraces and wild genetic resources.
3. To develop a mosaic of treatment and catchment wetlands that not only improve the water quality of untreated sewage but also sustain the rich aquatic flora and fauna of the Yamuna and monitor short term and long term changes in the ecology of the Delhi region.
4. To render multiple ecological services including carbon sequestration and recharge of groundwater aquifers.
5. To create educational and recreational benefits for the urban society. [2, 3]
Quantitative targets
Unknown
Monitoring indicators defined
Total area converted to biodiversity park and protected, number of species and species variety, number of valuable species, number of flowering plants, number of migratory birds, reduced mean local temperature, number of educational activities and projects. [2, 3]
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change mitigation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Implementation activities
The Biodiversity Parks were developed on two types of landforms in Delhi, the floodplain of the river Yamuna and the rocky and sloppy terrain of the Aravalli mountain region. Biodiversity Parks at the floodplains have wetlands, marshes, swamps, islands, shoals, lakes, floodplain forests and different biotic communities native to the area. Additionally, constructed wetland systems were developed, which created a mosaic with patches of grasslands, forests and marsh communities. Visitors' zones with conservatory of herbal plants, butterflies, sericulture zones, and field gene banks have been developed. In the mountenous region and ridge, edaphic communities, shrublands, bulbous and succulent plants of rocky habitat, grasslands and savannahs were developed. Wetlands and lakes in the area were restored back. Also, visitors' zone were created with conservatories of medicinal plants, butterflies, fernery and many more. In addition to this, viewing points for animals were also created. [3]
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The government has donated vacant and barren lands to turn into biodiversity conserving areas. Trees were planted, and wetlands were constructed in some areas. [3]
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The Biodiversity Parks are the first of their kind in the world. Under the project, The Yamuna Bioversity Park was the first to be inaugurated in 2004.
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The successful establishment of the Biodiversity Parks grabbed the global attention for replication as a model for urban environmental sustainability and resilience. These have a very high potential for fighting climate change and preserving urban biodiversity and could be replicated in other parts of the world without much adaptation. [2, 3]
