Biodiversity Parks * Northern Ridge project almost complete,while Tilpath Valley and Neela Hauz parks stuck in encroachment issues The four biodiversity parks,proposed by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in 2008,are still struggling to gain momentum regarding construction work. The land-owning agency had proposed these parks to revive the eco-system and stablise the pollution levels of the city and it had collaborated with the Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE) to develop the parks. As work continues at a sluggish pace on the Yamuna riverfront park,the Tilpath Valley and Neela Hauz projects are ensnared in issues like encroachment. Parts of theYamuna riverfront project is also facing land grabbing problems,with residents taking to farming on the land. The only park where work is almost complete is the Northern Ridge biodiversity park,popularly known as the lungs of North Delhi. Tilpath Valley This park,near Asola Wildlife Sanctuary,is a regional park as per Master Plan-2021. Initially,the land of this park was under different agencies; around two years ago the Lt Governor had ordered the transfer of land to DDA. While land has been handed over and the fencing has been done,a few farmhouses in the area are still to transfer land. As of now,the agency is yet to take a decision on the way forward. A study of the soil and drainage system of this area is being carried out and the access road,which is from within Sainik Farm,is expected to be changed. We had given some land to SAARC University in this area and the approach road to the university will now be used for the biodiversity park also, said a DDA official. According to DDA,this area had waterfalls several years ago. This is a major catchment area with natural depressions. We want to revive lakes in this park now, said the official. Neela Hauz This centuries-old waterbody near Vasant Kunj in South Delhi has been dead for years now. At present,the lake resembles a marsh land. The plans to redevelop the area are ready,but work is stuck as DDA and PWD are involved in a blame-game over rubble dumped in this area. According to Delhi High Court orders the restoration plans should have been implemented by end of May this year. The court had directed that all authorities should work in harmony to stop pollution and maintain Neela Hauz in an appropriate manner. Despite the order,not much has moved on ground. We have been in talks with PWD,and it has assured us that the debris will be removed by mid-October, said a DDA official. The PWD,meanwhile,claimed that it has already removed all the debris from the area. The restoration plan will include integrating the water body and surrounding area with Sanjay Van. Integration with Jawaharlal Nehru University will be taken up in Phase-II,said DDA officials. Northern Ridge Plans for the park in the Northern Ridge included reviving the water harvesting sites in the region,along with identifying the eco-zones and green habitats available. DDA has also linked the eight identified heritage structures in this area,and built walkways to connect them. These include two guard houses,a flag staff tower (a signal monument dating back to 1857),several 14th-century structures like Chauburja Mosque and Pir-Ghaib,and an Ashoka Pillar. Officials said these walkways serve as nature and heritage trails. We have already dug pits for water harvesting. Emphasis is on planting fruit-bearing trees to attract monkeys. We are trying to further enhance the biodiversity of this area, said DDA spokesperson Neemo Dhar. O-zone,Yamuna river front The project aims at refurbishing the land along the river from Palla in the northwest to Jaitpur in the south,a distance of 43 km. Encroachment in the area,however,is proving to be a major hindrance. Work on the project was earlier delayed as the construction of the Ring Road bypass had held it up. The Phase-I of the project is complete and DDA is starting with the development of banks on four sites near Wazirabad,Qudsia Ghat behind Kashmere Gate ISBT,Golden Jubilee Park (GJP) near Geeta Colony and the Delhi-Noida-Delhi Flyway. The DDA said parts of these locations are available for redevelopment and will be converted into protective biodiversity,interactive biodiversity and recreational.
