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The tranquil oasis of Aravali Biodiversity Park, located in DLF 3, Gurugram, is under significant threat due to unlawful building activities, according to local residents. A road of over two kilometers, originating from DLF 3, dissects the park's boundary wall, leading into the forest area, where unauthorized farmhouses, dairies, and slums have mushroomed. This unchecked encroachment, coupled with the increasing piles of construction and demolition waste, are transforming the park into a zone of environmental concern.
The park, designated last year for Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECM) by the Centre, is designed to be a haven for biodiversity. In the official revenue records, it is marked as 'gair mumkin pahar' (uncultivable hill), where any activity involving deforestation or construction is explicitly prohibited. This land, under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon, is expected to remain untouched by non-forest endeavors, a point of contention among the residents who feel let down by the authorities.
The Aravali Biodiversity Park, a rocky 392-acre expanse, was declared the first OECM site in India by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) in February last year. Unlike conventional protected forests, OECM sites maintain in-situ biodiversity conservation over the long term. They are managed collaboratively by local communities, private entities, and government agencies, according to the United Nations World Conservation Monitoring Centre database.
Residents have expressed their alarm over these violations. Reacting to the situation, PC Meena, Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon, announced that the civic body plans to form a team responsible for park surveillance and execute demolition drives to counter these illicit constructions.
The Aravali Biodiversity Park, with its semi-arid vegetation, is home to nearly 400 native plant species, over 100,000 trees, and over 180 bird species. It might represent just a fraction of the Aravali forests in Haryana, but its significance as a green lung for the city cannot be overstated, emphasize ecologists.
In conclusion, in a world increasingly conscious of the importance of preserving green spaces, the encroachment on Aravali Biodiversity Park serves as a stark reminder of the constant battle between development and conservation. With the future of the park at stake, swift and decisive action from local authorities could ensure the preservation of this critical ecosystem, providing a sustainable coexistence model for future generations.
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