Yamuna Biodiversity Park

Yamuna Biodiv Biodiversity ersity Park  A REPORT ON E.V.S. FIELD TRIP

Arvind NVS 1610110079 [email protected] |Environmental |Environ mental Studies - CCC704 | Date of of Trip: 18th February 2017 Date of Submission: 1 st March 2017

CONTENTS SERIAL  NUMBER

TOPIC

PAGE  NUMBER

1

About the Place

2

2

Observations

12

3

Discussion

30

4

References/Bibliography References/Bibli ography

35

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About the place: Yamuna Biodiversity Biodiversity Park Once the lifeline of many civilizations and cities that emerged along its banks, the river Yamuna suffers from inadequate water flow and heavy pollution. The length of the river in the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) of Delhi is 48 km with a total river bed of around 97 sq km. Apart from being a major source of water for Delhi, it is also one of the major sources of groundwater recharge and irrigation for the states of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Recently, however, rapid urbanization, overexploitation of natural resources and o n the biodiversity of the river’s extremely high levels of po llution have taken a severe toll on flora and fauna. To rescue and restore the lost native biodiversity in regions surrounding the River Yamuna, several  biodiversity  biodiversi ty park projects were set up by the local government,, one of which government is the Yamuna Biodiversity park. Set up in the year 2002, on the  banks of river Yamuna, near Wazirabad village, the Yamuna Biodiversity Park was developed in two phases in two different areas —  on the inactive floodplains of the river in Phase I and on the active floodplainss in Phase II. floodplain Phase I is spread out over an area of 157 acres. Once this area was acquired in the year 2002, the soil profile, physicochemical parameters and nutrient levels were estimated, and it was found that the soil was highly alkaline and nutrient impoverished. Around a 100 species of grass were planted as an early measure to ameliorate the quality of the soil. Initially, the area was highly alkaline with a pH of 9.8. Many species of grasses such as  Leptochloa fusca, Vetiveria zizanoides, Bothriochloa species , Cenchrus ciliaris, Cenchrus setigerus etc.  along with many native legume species such as  Rhynchosia  species ,  Indigophera tinctoria, Indigophera linifolia, Sesbania sesban  were utilized not just to increase the nutrient levels but also to initiate microbial activities in the soil. It was thought that during rainfall the salt present in the soil would leach down from the mounds (which were a product of landscaping the local area) and act as a specialized niche for several plant and animal species. PAGE 2

 Yamuna Biodiversity Biodiversity park before restoration work began in 2002. ref: www.sahapedia.org

Phase II of the Yamuna Biodiversity Park is spread out over an area of 300 acres on the active floodplain of the river and consists of a mosaic of wetlands together with grasslands and floodplain forests. forests. The wetlands, which are in an a n area of around 100 acres, are presently under development and have already started attracting a diversity of resident and migratory  birds such as Grey Herons, Painted Storks, Spoonbill Spoonbills, s, Open-billed Storks, S torks, Red-crested Pochards, Wagtails and Sandpipers. Once completed, this mosaic of wetlands will impound floodwaters floodwaters to the extent of around 500 million gallon, recharge aquifers during dry months, minimize the impact of flood water on the Wazirabad barrage and reduce siltation of the reservoir.

 After restoration of  wetlands was completed completed in 2012. Ref: www.tourelp.com

 — the the ‘visitor zone’ and the ‘nature reserve zone.’ The The park is divided into two zones —  major components of the visitor zone are the ‘conservatory of medicinal plants', ‘butterfly grove', ‘acacia woodland', ‘migratory ducks’ garden', ‘rangelands', ‘sacred wetland', ‘resident ducks’ wetland’ and ‘conservatory of fruit-yielding species.’

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The conservatory of medicinal plants consists of over 300 plant species known to have therapeutic values. Some of the most important herbs planted here are ashwangandha (Withania somnifera), artimisia, sarpagandha ( Rauwolfia serpentine), nirgundi ( Vitex negundo) and isabgol ( Plantago major ). ). A climber grove grove was also created here for climbers of medicinal importance importance such as dama bel (Tylophora indica), gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre), antmool (Celastrus paniculata). A small lily pond in the medicinal garden  Acorus calamus). houses aquatic plants such as brahmi ( Bacopa monerii) and bach ( Acorus

Herbal Garden in Yamuna Biodiversity Park.

The conservatory of  butterflies is a welldesigned, open air, circular area whose outer periphery consists of host plants, while the inner portion has nectar-producing flowers. Small ponds have also been created to add moisture to the area. These ponds are also utilized for mud  puddling of  butterflies,, an activity  butterflies

that enhances the strength of their eggs. Here, one can see all the stages in a bu tterfly’s life cycle —  egg,  egg, larvae, pupa and finally adult. The sacred grove houses plant species which have some religious significance. The conservatory of fruit fruit plants, as the name suggests, has plant species that are specially grown in the Yamuna river basin for their fruits. Khirni ( Manilkara hexandra), is an important fruit plant which was once found in Delhi but has now altogether disappeared from the wild. Birds such as green pigeons, peafowls, bulbuls and parakeets have carved their niches in this conservatory. In the nature reserve zone, z one, around 30 forest communities have been developed which offer multiple micro-niches and habitats for a diversity of animal species to live and breed in. The wetlands also harbor aquatic vegetation, fish, dragonflies and microorganisms that were once found in the river Yamuna but have now disappeared. Presently, these wetlands also receive flocks of migratory birds (around 5000) from Siberia and other Palearctic regions every year. Some notable species are the Red-crested Pochard, Northern Shovellor, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall etc. In addition, many resident birds have made the park’s

wetlands their home like the Spot-billed Duck, Indian Moorhen, Moorhen, Lesser Whistling Teal and Purple Moorhen. The darter, also called snake bird, is a near-threatened species which nests PAGE 4

in the wetlands of YBP each year. The Tamarix-Phragmite forest all along the shallow wetlands has become one of the most important habitats for the nesting and breeding of the Black-crowned Night Heron, which was once found all along the Yamuna but latterly had disappeared due to habitat destruction destruction.. The Yamuna Biodiversity Park harbors a wide range of ecosystems indigenous to the Yamuna river basin and supports more than 1,500 plant and animal species. The diversity of birds has shown a remarkable increase with specie numbers having risen from 37 to 196 since 2002, while reptiles have increased from 3 to 18. The nature reserve zone with

 Visitor Trail at YBP YBP Court Co urtes es : ww www. w.sa saha ha ed edia ia.co .com m

different forest communities interspersed with sprawling grasslands and wetlands forms a fully functional ecosystem. Some forest communities already have developed canopies and have attracted animals like porcupines, civets, jungle cats and Nilgai. The result being, mammal diversity has increased from 4 to 18. The Yamuna Biodiversity Park is an open-air laboratory for a range of students and researchers. Groups are led through the park on a predetermined nature trail and it has already become a location where education on environment, sustainable development and conservation is being imparted at a primary, secondary and tertiary level. Around 10,000 students/trainees/nature students/tra inees/nature lovers from schools, colleges, institutions and NGOs visit it every year.

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Emerging as the capital's most visited public place and prominent center for learning and understanding understanding the environment, the Yamuna Biodiversity Park has become a home for  biologically  biologically rich wetlands, grassland grassland communities, communities, a wide variety of fruit fruit yielding species and an abundance of medicinal herbs. The Park also comprises a native flora and fauna which used to exist 100 years ago and then became extinct locally. Yamuna Biodiversity Park is thus a living laboratory where scientific experimentation has done wonders. Once a barren place where nothing grew, the park is now full of life which can be heard in the chirping of birds and rustling rustling of leaves.

Map of Yamuna Biodiversity Park ref: maps.google.com

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The mounds of Yamuna Biodiversity Park We were told about the Ten Mounds, surrounding surrounding the valley, which illustrate the different forest ecosystems in its miniature form found all along the Yamuna River Basin. The composition of forests, as in nature, consists of three to four layers: a tree canopy that supports climbers and provides shade for the middle storey tree layer and shrub layer which in turn protect the ground-co ground-cover ver of herbs and grasses. Plantation on these mounds is designed based on the structure and composition of the forest ecosystem found in its natural environment. These ecosystems are:

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Subtropical mixed evergreen forest ecosystem Moist tropical deciduous forest ecosystem with Teak as a dominant species Tropical dry deciduous forest ecosystem with Sal as a s a dominant species Tropical Dry Deciduous forest with Teak as a dominant species Tropical thorn forest

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Scrub jungle

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The mounds in Yamuna biodiversity park surrounding the valley: Overview Courtesy: www.dda.com

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Subtropical mixed evergreen forest ecosystem

This ecosystem aimed to re-create and  preserve the flora flora and fauna community of the said ecosystem. Many plants, ranging from Indian rosewood in the top canopy to vigna capensis in the climbers, can be found here. Among other important plants are, mallotus,  ,  Artocarpus lakoocha, Cinnamomum camphora, or the camphor tree and many

others. A list of flora found in here is as follows: Top canopy - Toona ciliata, Dalbergia latifolia, Mitragyna parvifolia, Syzygium cumini Middle storey - Trewia nudiflora, Artocarpus lakoocha, Cinnamomum camphora, Shrub layer- Dillenia indica, Coffea benghalensis, Murraya paniculata, Bauhinia malabarica,

Herbs and Grasses- Barleria cristata, Flemingia bracteata, Desmodium triflorum Climbers- Vigna capensis, Combretum decandrum, Vitis paniculatum Moist tropical deciduous forest ecosystem with Teak as a dominant species

This ecosystem is very essential from the viewpoint of conservation and expansion, as it is a natural habitat of many of the critically endangered species. The flora community in Yamuna Biodiversity park in thus ecosystem is huge and it contains the following plants: Top Canopy- Tectona grandis, Pterocarpus marsupium, Diospyros melanoxylon, Middle storey-  Buchanania lanzan, Albizia lebbeck, Bauhinia variegata Shrub layer- Flemingia rugosus, Vitex negundo, Nyctanthus arbortristris, Zizyphus mauritiana

Herbs and grasses-  Desmodium triflorum, Crotolaria juncea, Bothriochloa pertusa, Climbers- Pueraria phaseoloides, Asparagus racemosus

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Tropical dry deciduous forest ecosystem with Sal as a s a dominant species

The following trees could be found in the region marked for conservation of dry deciduous forest. Top canopy – Shorea robusta, Diospros melanoxylon, Putranjiva roxburghii,  Erythrina indica, Cassia Middle storey  –  Erythrina  fistula, Albizia sp., Sterculia urens Shrub layer – Carissa spinarum, Zizyphus oenoplea, Nyctanthus arbortristris Herbs & Grasses – Chloris, Eragrostis, Fimbristylis ferruginea, Indigofera tinctoria, Climbers – Smilax zeylanica, , Clittoria turnatea, Marsidenia, Cocculus hirsutus

Tropical thorn forest

A thorn forest is a dense, scrub dense, scrub like vegetation characteristic of dry subtropical dry  subtropical and warm temperate warm temperate areas with a seasonal rainfall averaging 250 to 500 mm (9.8 to 19.7 in). This vegetation covers a large part of southwestern North America and southwestern Africa and smaller areas in Africa, South America, and Australia. In South America,

thorn forest is sometimes called  Caatinga, and consists primarily of small, thorny trees that shed their leaves seasonally. Trees typically do not exceed 10 metres (33 ft) in height, usually averaging averaging between 7 and 8 metres (23 and 26 ft) tall. Thorn forest grades

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into savanna into savanna woodland as the rainfall increases and into desert as the climate becomes drier. The major thorn forest flora species found in Yamuna Biodiversity park are: Top Canopy- Acacia sp., Prosopis cineraria, Anogeissus pendula Underwoods-  Zizyphus mauritiana, Maytenus emarginatus, Wrightia Herbs and Grasses- Vicovestata, Vico auriculata, Desmostachya bipinnata, Climbers- Valletia, Leptochloa fusca, Tinospora cordifolia

Tropical Dry Deciduous forest with Teak as a dominant species

Top Canopy – Tectona grandis, Butea monosperma, Sterculia urens, Terminalia chebula,  Emblica officinalis, Bauhina variegata, Cochlospermum religiosum Middle storey  –  Emblica Shrub layer – Gardenia turgida, Randia dumetorum, Grewia asiatica  Barleria prionitis, Bothriochloa pertusa, Dicanthium Hetropogo Herbs & Grasses –  Barleria  Abrus pulchellus, Cocculus hirsutus Climbers –  Climbers  –  Abrus Scrub jungle Shrubland, scrubland, scrub or brush is a plant a plant

community characterised by vegetation dominated vegetation dominated by  by shrubs, often shrubs,  often also including grasses, herbs, grasses, herbs, and  and geophytes. Shrubland geophytes.  Shrubland may either occur naturally or be the result of human activity. It may be the mature vegetation type in a particular region and remain stable over time, or a transitional community that occurs temporarily as the result of a disturbance. Top Canopy- Acacia catechu, A. senegal, A. leucophloea Underwoods-  Euphorbia neriifolia, Cassia auriculata, Maetenus emarginatus Herbs- Tephrosia purpurea, Justicia simplex, Cyperus rotundus, Eragrostis tenella Climbers – Cocculus laurifolius, Rhynchosia minima

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Visitor Zone tour of Yamuna Biodiversity Biodiversity Park

Upon entry into the park we were made familiar with all the various species of flora and fauna that we might encounter. The first plant that came to observation was a halophyte Salicornia bigelovii commonly known as dwarf glasswort or pickleweed. These plants were first found when the park acquired the place in 2002. Given the high salt content of the soil in the area, these were used in a process called phytoremediation, to help lower the salinity of the soil and thus, helping in growing other plants as well.

Salicornia bigelovii Salicornia bigelovii is a species of flowering plant in the amaranth the  amaranth family known by the [2] common names dwarf saltwort saltwort and dwarf glasswort. It is native to coastal areas of the eastern and southern United southern United States, as States, as well as southern California, southern California, Belize,  Belize, and coastal Mexico (both the east and west coasts). Since dwarf glasswort is a halophytic coastline species which grows in saltwater, it can be irrigated with seawater, making it a potential crop for landscapes that can support few other crop plants.

Pickleweed in Yamuna Biodiversity Park

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The next plant of interest belonged to the genus ficus,  Ficus carcia. The importance of  presence of the Ficus Carcia, or the common fig, fig, as it is commonly known, is of the  prime level in any biodiversity. biodiversity. We were told that the presence of any tree from the ficus family is enough to sustain an entire ecosystem on its own. The plant can tolerate seasonal tolerate seasonal drought, and the Middle the  Middle Eastern and  Mediterranean  Mediterranean climate is especially suitable for the plant. Situated in a favorable habitat, old specimens when mature can reach a considerable size and form a large dense shade tree. Its aggressive root system system precludes its use in many urban areas of cities, but in nature helps the plant to take root in the most inhospitable areas. The common fig tree is mostly a phreatophyte a  phreatophyte that lives in areas with standing or running Ficus carica Ficus carica is an Asian an Asian species  species of  flowering  flowering plants in the mulberry the mulberry family, known family, known as the common fig (or just the fig). It is the source of the fruit the  fruit also called the fig, and as such is an important crop in those areas where it is grown commercially. Native commercially.  Native to the Middle the Middle East and western Asia, western Asia, it  it has been sought out and cultivated since ancient times, and is now widely grown throughout the world, both for its fruit and as an ornamental an  ornamental plant. The species has become naturalized in scattered locations in Asia and North America.

water. It grows well in the valleys of the rivers and ravines saving no water, having strong need of water that is extracted from the ground. The deep -rooted  plant  plant searches groundwater, groundwater, in aquifers, in aquifers, ravines,  ravines, or  or cracks in the rocks. The fig tree, with the water, cools the environment in hot places, creating a fresh and pleasant habitat for many animals that take shelter in its shade in the times of intense heat.

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We were next told about the importance of preserving the endemic species, and how certain plants when brought from foreign foreign lands can act as an invasive species, and threaten the very existence of the local flora and fauna. One such plant, Prosopis  juliflora, locally known as vilayti kikar(literally-foreign (literally-foreign kikar). Prosopis juliflora

 mesquite. It is Prosopis juliflora is a shrub or small tree in the family Fabaceae, a kind of  mesquite. It native to Mexico, to Mexico, South  South America and the Caribbean. the Caribbean. It has become an invasive weed in

several countries where it was introduced. introduced. It is considered a noxious invader in  Ethiopia, Hawaii, Sri Hawaii, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Lanka, Jamaica, the Middle East, India, Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Senegal and southern Africa. It is also a major weed in the southwestern United States. It is hard and expensive to remove as the plant can regenerate from the roots. In Australia, mesquite has colonized more than 800,000 hectares of arable land, having severe economic and environmental impacts. With its thorns and many low branches, it forms impenetrable thickets which prevent cattle from accessing watering holes, etc. It also takes over  pastoral grasslands grasslands and uses scarce water. water. Livestock which consume consume excessive amounts of seed pods are poisoned. It causes land erosion due to the loss of the grasslands that are habitats for native plants and animals. It also provides shelter for feral animals such as  pigs and cats. In the Afar the Afar Region in Ethiopia, where the mesquite was introduced in the late 1970s and early 1980s, its aggressive growth leads to a monoculture, a  monoculture, denying  denying native  plants water and sunlight, sunlight, and not not providing food for native native animals and cattle. The regional government with the non-gove non-governmental rnmental organisation FARM-Africa organisation  FARM-Africa are looking for ways to commercialize the tree's wood, but pastoralists who call it the "Devil Tree" insist that P. juliflora be eradicated. In Sri Lanka this mesquite was planted in the 1950s near  Hambantota  Hambantota as a shade and erosion control tree. It then invaded the grasslands in and around Hambantota and the Bundala the  Bundala National Park, causing Park, causing similar problems as in Australia and Ethiopia. Ethiopia .[3] This mesquite This mesquite Prosopis juliflora native to Central and South America, is also known as katu andara. It was introduced in 1880 and has become a serious problem as an invasive species.

 Vilayti Kikar Courtesy: www.wikipedia.org

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Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is one of the most powerful herbs in Ayurvedic healing. It is referred to as the “Indian ginseng” because of its rejuvenating properties.  Native to the dry regions of India, Northern Africa, and the Middle East, this plant boasts of exceptional medicinal uses such as:

It protects the immune system and helps combat the effects of stress. It has proven to be very effective in improving learning, memory, and reaction time. Reduces anxiety and depression without causing drowsiness. It also helps to reduce brain-cell degeneration. Stabilizes blood sugar and helps lower cholesterol. It offers anti-inflammatory benefits. It also contains anti-malarial properties.

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Wild Egg-Plant Solanum torvum ,commonly known as wild brinjal or wild egg-plant, e gg-plant, is a bushy, erect and spiny

 perennial plant used horticulturally as a rootstock a  rootstock for  eggplant. Grafted   eggplant. Grafted plants are very vigorous and tolerate diseases affecting the root system, thus allowing the crop to continue for a second year.

is native from Florida and southern Alabama through the West Indies and from Mexico through Central America and South America through Brazil (Little and others 1974). Because of its rapid spread as a weed in disturbed lands, it is difficult to tell which populations are native and which are introduced. Turkey berry has been introduced and naturalized throughout tropical Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands including Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa. Turkey berry is  being crossed with eggplant to incorporate genes for resistance to Verticillium wilt into the vegetable.

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Lavendula Angustafolia  Lavandula angustifolia , commoly known as Lavender is a flowering a  flowering plant in the family the family

Lamiaceae, native Lamiaceae, native to the Mediterranean (Spain, France, Italy, Croatia etc.).

English lavender is commonly grown as an ornamental an  ornamental plant. It plant. It is popular for its colourful flowers, its fragrance, and its ability to survive s urvive with low water consumption. The flowers and leaves are used as an herbal an herbal medicine, medicine ,[16] either in the form of  lavender  lavender oil or as an herbal an herbal tea. The tea. The flowers are also used as a culinary herb, most often as part of the French herb blend called herbes de Provence. Lavender essential oil, when diluted with a carrier oil, is commonly used as a relaxant with massage with massage therapy.

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Meswak Salvadora persica (Arak, Galenia asiatica , Meswak, Peelu, Pīlu, Salvadora indica, or toothbrush tree, mustard tree, mustard bush), is a species of  Salvadora. This plant is

native to several several countries countries such as Algeria, Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, India, Iran, Iran, Israel, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Oman, Pakistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Arabia, Somalia, South South Africa, Africa, Sri Sri Lanka, Lanka, Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and many more.

It is one of the best-known host plant for butterfly eggs. It is a traditional and natural alternative to the modern toothbrush. toothbrush. Apart from their antibacterial activity which may help control the formation and activity of dental plaque, such sticks are effective, inexpensive, common, available, and contain many medical properties. Its extract is also used as a paste for teeth and gum pastes.

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Acacia  Acacia, commonly known as the wattles or acacias, is a large genus large genus of shrubs, lianas shrubs,  lianas and

trees in the subfamily Mimosoideae of the pea family Fabaceae.  Fabaceae.  It has great many importance in our day-to-day life.

Individual flowers are arranged in inflorescences that may be either globular heads or cylindrical spikes. Flowers can vary in colour through cream, pale yellow to gold.  Acacia make excellent garden plants.  Acacia are a good source of pollen making some

species popular with bee-keepers. The seeds are also an important source of food for birds.  Acacia is found in Australia, Africa, Madagascar, throughout the Asia - Pacific region

and in the Americas.

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The next feature of the biodiversity b iodiversity park was rather interesting, as it was the one of the many beautiful fauna we had encountered. Swallow

The swallows are a group of  passerine birds  passerine birds in the family Hirundinidae that are characterised  by their adaptation adaptation to aerial feeding. feeding. Swallows are excellent flyers, and use these skills to feed and attract a mate. Some species, like the mangrove the mangrove swallow, are swallow, are territorial,  territorial, whereas  whereas others are not and simply defend their nesting site. In general, the males ma les select a nest site, and then attract a female using song and flight, and (dependent on the species) guard their territory. The size of the territory varies depending on the species of swallow; in colonial-nesting colonial-nesting species it tends to be small, but it may be much larger for solitary nesters. Outside the  breeding season, season, some species may Courtesy: allaboutbirds.com form large flocks, and species may ma y also roost communally. This is thought to provide protection from  predators such such as sparrowhawks as sparrowhawks and  hobbies.   hobbies. The swallows have a cosmopolitan a cosmopolitan distribution across the world and breed on all the continents except Antarctica. It is  believed that this this family originated originated in Africa as hole-nesters. hole-nesters. Purple Sunbird

The purple sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) is a small sunbird. small sunbird. Like  Like other sunbirds they feed mainly on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. They have a fast and direct flight and can take nectar  by hovering like a hummingbird hummingbird but often often  perch at the base of flowers. flowers. The males appear all black except in some lighting when the  purple iridescence iridescence becomes visible. Females are olive above and yellowish below. PAGE 20

It is also called as the indian hummingbird hummingbird due to its similarity in feeding on the nectar like the hummingbird. One of the most fascinating thing about this bird is that it uses spider webs to build its nest by modifying and lining the cobweb structures formed by colonial spiders like Stegodyphus sarasinorum (Eresidae). (Eresidae). The species is distributed widely from West from  West Asia through the Indian the Indian subcontinent and into Southeast into Southeast Asia. They Asia. They are resident birds in most parts of their range and do not move large distances. They are found in thin forest and garden land, including those in dense urban areas. Peafowl

The blue or  Indian  Indian peafowl originally of India and Sri Lanka are birds in the genera Pavo and Afropavo of the Phasianidae family, the pheasants and their allies, known for the male's ma le's piercing call and, among the Asiatic species, his extravagant eye-spotted tail covert tail  covert feathers which he displays as part of a courtship ritual. Peafowl are best known for the male's extravagant display Image courtesy: feathers which, despite aactually ctually growing animaldreams.com from their back, are thought of as a tail. The "train" is in reality made up of the enormously elongated elongated upper tail coverts. The tail itself is brown and short as in the  peahen. The colours colours result not from from any green or blue blue pigments but from the microstructure of the feathers and the resulting optical phenomena. Black Crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax), commonly abbreviated to just The black-crowned night heron ( Nycticorax night heron in Eurasia, is a medium-sized  heron  heron found throug throughout hout a large part of the world, except in the coldest regions and Australasia. The breeding habitat is fresh and salt-water  wetlands  wetlands throughout much of the world. The subspecies N. n. hoactli  breeds in North North and So uth America from Canada as far south as northern Argentina northern  Argentina and  Chile,  Chile, N. n. obscurus in southernmost South America,  N. n.  falklandicus in the Falkland the Falkland Islands, and Islands, and the nominate race N. n. nycticorax in Europe, Asia and Africa. Black-crowned night herons nest in colonies in  colonies on platforms of sticks in a group of

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trees, or on the ground in protected locations such as islands or reedbeds. Three T hree to eight eggs are laid. This heron is migratory is  migratory in the northernmost part of its range, but otherwise resident (even in the cold  Patagonia).  Patagonia). The North American population winters in Mexico, the southern United States, Central America, and the West Indies, and the Old World birds winter in tropical Africa and southern Asia. Red Crusted Poachard  Netta rufina) is a large diving The red-crested pochard ( Netta large  diving duck. The duck.  The scientific name is derived from Greek from Greek Netta "duck", and  Latin   Latin rufina, "golden-red" (from rufus, "ruddy") "ruddy")..[2] Its breeding habitat is lowland  marshes  marshes and lakes in southern Europe and Central Asia, wintering in the Indian the  Indian Subcontinent and Africa.

It is somewhat migratory, somewhat migratory, and  and northern birds winter further south into north Africa. Red-crested  pochards build build nests by the the lakeside among vegetation and lay 8 – 12 12 pale green eggs. The birds' status in the British the British Isles is much confused because there have been many escapes and deliberate releases over the years, as well as natural visitors from the continent. The adult male is unmistakable. It has a rounded orange head, red  bill and black breast. breast. The flanks are white, the the back brown, and the the tail black. The female is mainly a pale brown, with a darker back and crown and a whitish face. Eclipse males are like females but with red bills.

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Nilgai  Boselaphus tragocamelus) is the largest Asian The nilgai or blue bull ( Boselaphus largest Asian antelope  antelope and is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. It is the sole member of the  genus Boselaphus. A sturdy thin-legged thin-legged antelope, the nilgai is characterised by a sloping back, a deep neck with a white patch on the throat, a short crest of hair along the neck terminating in a tuft,

and white facial spots. A column of pendant coarse hair, hangs from the dewlap ridge  below the white patch. patch. While females and juveniles juveniles are orange to tawny, males are much darker –  their   their  coat  coat is typically bluish grey, hence the name, Nilgai.

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Indian Hare

The Indian hare is distributed throughout India, except the high reaches of the Himalayas and mangrove areas within the Sundarbans in the state of West Bengal. The geographic distribution distribution extends into eastern Pakistan, southern Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh excluding the Sundarbans . It is thought to occur in Bhutan as well, but exact locations are not known. This species can be found at elevations ranging from 50-4,500 m. This species has been introduced to many islands of the Indian Ocean like Mauritius, Gunnera Quoin, Anskya, Runion, and Cousin. Lepus nigricollis is considered native to Java, but its origin is considered uncertain. Bumblebee

A bumblebee (also written bumble bee) is a member of the genus the genus  Bombus, part of  Apidae, one  Apidae, one of the  bee families. Many bumblebees are social insects that form colonies form  colonies with a single queen. The colonies are smaller than those of honeybees, growing honeybees,  growing to as few as 50 individuals in a nest. Female  bumblebees can sting sting repeatedly,  but generally ignore humans and and other animals. Cuckoo bumblebees do not make nests; their queens aggressively invade the nests of other bumblebee species, kill the resident queens and then lay their own eggs, which are cared for by the resident workers. Bumblebees have round bodies covered in soft hair (long branched  setae) called  setae) called pile, making them appear and feel fuzzy. They have aposematic have  aposematic (warning) coloration, often coloration,  often consisting of contrasting bands bands of colour, and different species of bumblebee in a region often resemble each other in mutually protective Müllerian protective  Müllerian mimicry. Harmless mimicry. Harmless insects such as hoverflies as hoverflies often derive protection from resembling bumblebees.

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Dragonfly

A dragonfly is an insect an insect belonging  belonging to the order  Odonata, infraorder  Odonata, infraorder Anisoptera (from Greek ἄνισος anisos "uneven" and πτερόν pteron, "wing", because the hindwing the hindwing is  broader than the the forewing)  forewing).. Adult dragonflies are characterized by large multifaceted large  multifaceted eyes, two eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, transparent  wings, sometimes  sometimes with coloured patches and an elongated  body. Dragonflies can be mistaken for the related group, damselflies (Zygoptera), which are similar in structure, though usually lighter in build; however, the wings of most dragonflies are held flat and away from the body, while damselflies hold the wings folded at rest, along or above the abdomen. Dragonflies are agile fliers, while damselflies have a weaker, fluttery flight. Many dragonflies have brilliant  iridescent or metallic colours produced by structural coloration , making them conspicuous in flight. An adult dragonfly’s compound eye has nearly 24,000 ommatidia. 24,000 ommatidia. Loss of  wetland  wetland habitat threatens dragonfly populations around the world. Dragonflies are represented in human culture on artifacts such as pottery, rock paintings, and  Art and  Art  Nouveau jewellery.  Nouveau jewellery. They are used in traditional medicine medicine in Japan and China, and caught caught for food in Indonesia. They are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness in Japan, but seen as sinister in European folklore.

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Common Moorhen

The common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) (also known as the swamp chicken) is a bird species in the family Rallidae. family Rallidae. It  It is distributed across many  parts of the the world. The common moorhen lives around well-vegetated marshes, ponds, canals and other wetlands. The species is not found in the polar the  polar regions or many tropical rainforests. Elsewhere rainforests.  Elsewhere it is likely the most common rail common rail species, except for the Eurasian the Eurasian coot in some regions. The common moorhen is one of the birds (the other is the  Eurasian coot, Fulica atra) from which the cyclocoelid  the  cyclocoelid  flatworm parasite  flatworm parasite Cyclocoelum mutabile was first described. The bird is also parasitised by the moorhen the  moorhen flea,  Dasypsyllus gallinulae. Darter

The darters or snakebirds are mainly tropical mainly tropical waterbirds in the family the  family Anhingidae having a single genus  Anhinga. There are four living species, living  species, three  three of which are very common and widespread while the fourth is rarer and classified as near-threatened as near-threatened by  by the IUCN. The IUCN. The term "snakebird" is usually used without any additions to signify whichever of the completely allopatric completely allopatric species occurs in any one region. It refers to their long thin neck, which has a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged, or when mated pairs twist it during their bonding displays. bonding  displays. Darters  Darters are mostly tropical mostly tropical in distribution, ranging into subtropical and barely into warm temperate warm  temperate regions. They typically inhabit fresh inhabit  fresh water lakes, rivers, marshes, swamps, and are less often found along the seashore in brackish in  brackish estuaries, bays, lagoons bays, lagoons and  mangrove. Most  mangrove. Most are sedentary and do not migrate; not  migrate; the  the  populations  populations in the coolest parts parts of the range may migrate migrate however.

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Porcupine Porcupines are rodentian  are rodentian mammals  mammals with a coat of sharp spines, sharp  spines, or  or quills, that protect

against predators. predators. The term covers two families of animals, the Old the  Old World porcupines of family Hystricidae, and the New the New World porcupines of family Erethizontidae. Both families  belong to the the clade Hystricognathi within the  profoundly  profound ly diverse order diverse order Rodentia and display superficially similar coats of quills: despite this, the two groups are distinct from each other and are not closely related to each other within Hystricognathi. Hystricognathi. Porcupines are the third-largest of the rodents, behind the  capybara and the beaver. the beaver. Porcupines'  Porcupines' quills, or  spines, take  spines, take on various forms, depending on the species,  but all are modified modified hairs coated with thick plates of keratin, and keratin, and embedded in the skin the  skin musculature.

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Purple moor-hen

The western swamphen or commonly known as  purple moor-hen moor-hen (Porphyrio porphyrio) is a "swamp hen" in the rail the rail family Rallidae. From its French name talève sultane, it is also known as the sultana bird. This chicken-sized chicken-sized bird,  bird, with its large feet, bright plumage and red bill and frontal shield is easily recognisable in its native range. It is found in Iberia, France, Sardinia and  North Africa to Tunisia. The western swamphen in the Mediterranean has declined due to habitat loss, hunting and  pesticide use, and requires strict protection. protection. In Portugal the species declined greatly in the 19th and 20th centuries, but has increased more recently thanks to protection and some reintroduction reintroduction schemes, although it remains rare and has a fragmented distribution. distribution.

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Leopard

The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the five "big cats" cats" in the genus the genus Panthera. It is a member of the family the  family Felidae  Felidae with a wide range in sub-Saharan in  sub-Saharan Africa and parts of  Asia.  Asia. Compared to other members of Felidae, the leopard has relatively short legs and a long  body with a large large skull. It is similar in appearance to the  jaguar, but  jaguar, but has a smaller, lighter  physique.  physique. Its fur is marked with rosettes with rosettes similar to those of the  jaguar, but the leopard's leopard's rosettes are smaller and more densely packed, and do not usually have central spots as the jaguar's do. Both leopards and jaguars that are  melanistic are known as black as black panthers. The panthers.  The leopard is distinguished by its well-camouflaged fur,  opportunistic hunting behaviour, behaviour, broad diet, and strength (which it uses to move heavy carcasses into trees), as well as its ability to adapt to various habitats ranging from from rainforest to steppe. Due to the leopard's superlative stealthiness, stealthiness, people often remain unaware that big cats live in nearby areas.

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Discussion On the 18th February,2017, February,2017, we, w e, the students of Shiv  Nadar University paid a visit to Yamuna Bio Diversity Park located in Wazirabad, New Delhi. It was a treat to our eyes to see such exotic flora and fauna. I could understand the classification system of organisms much better. Various varieties of plants varying from non-flowering  bryophy  bryophytes tes and gymnosperms gymnosperms to flowering angiosperms made made me feel how each organism was important and how each one of them played a role in the eco-system. Although the plants are useful for mak ing mak ing various products like  jute and ropes one should use use them sensibly for the sustainability of resources. The flora and fauna are also aesthetically appealing thus attracting tourism thereby increasing the revenue of the state. Multiple sectors are affected if these creatures are not protected. Each and everything in the surroundings of an organism is important for its survival. For example, a tiger a carnivore, has no intentions of eating grass that surround him, but he does need to wait  patiently for its prey to hunt and eat, and PAGE 30

ultimately survive. Thus grass, though not for eating but for hiding in plain sight to hunt, is essential for a tiger. The question then arises as to why have carnivores at all who feed on poor helpless animals? Carnivores help to maintain a balance of nature by keeping a check on the population of herbivores. herbivores. In case of absence of carnivores, the  population of herbivores herbivores would explode, and they would consume all the small plants and grass, thus effectively turning a said region into an ecological desert. Not only this, but predators segregate the weaker members of the herd while hunting and help in survival of the fittest and thus the strongest strongest genes will be passed on to the next generations. Humans through their undesirable activities like destroying forests for their habitat end up exposing animals to threat to such an extent that the animals reach the verge of extinction; Dodo being one such  bird that no more more exists and is merely found in museums, dictionaries, encyclopaedias and in ‘list” of extinct birds cate gory. Forest area in India has come down

 by a drastic amount amount only to satisfy the wants of  Homo sapiens. In my visit to the park I saw various number of plants like Euphorbia that is majorly found in North America. Such  plants give bio-diversity bio-diversity parks parks educational importance and it was a nice experience to see such plants that were mentioned in my textbook. PAGE 31

Information Information given by the guides like a particular variety of plant that survives in salt rich areas turns red from green on utilising the salt in that area for nutrition and can be used to check soil quality and salt indicator, how a tree is able to produce oxygen for 5 people and how we are recklessly cutting down trees for our own selfishness which eventually

results in our loss as O2 ‘s cost (about 13lakh per person per year) compared to the cost

of growing a tree. Such details cannot be found on the internet easily, made me understand in this visit. Getting to know so much about the environment and about how recklessly we have been using it makes my jaw drop. The Yamuna Biodiversity Park was  built ground ground up on saline saline land by methods methods of bioremediationbioremediation- phytoremediation phytoremediation etc. The flora and fauna found in it are not local flora and fauna, instead they are mostly brought from different places and planted inside the biodiversity park  premises where there there exists a coexistence of multiple natural creatures. Its success was reflected when birds which resided in the locality 100years before started coming back as the bio-diversity was set up. The final stage of the complete rehabilitation of the ark was said to be completed when a leopard was found in the late monsoons of 2016. This incident effectively indicated that predators

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have arrived and that the food chain is now complete, thus establishing a fact that all the necessities of survival for the Animalia of the lower order is complete. The Park’s specialty is the host of birds that

come to it during their seasonal migration birds that never never stopped at that point befo re. Its importance is not just a symbolic representation of what kind of biodiversity exists, but also a concerted effort to  preserve it and strive strive to make the environment sustainable. sustainable. Another aweinspiring fact is that from a piece of barren land, where nothing grew, the park has wetlands where the water is obtained through a very natural process and thus making the water in wetlands completely  potable, thus re-establishing re-establishing the order of nature in a very pristine form. Yamuna bio-diversity bio-diversity park is rather first such a model. Such S uch models would bring  back the nature’s working in its pace. Ideas like sustainable use of resources, planting four trees for every tree cut down, use of renewable resources and alternate ideas should be brought up and promoted to save these organisms. Although Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest makes humans feel

that they are in the top of the food chain they also need to understand that to survive itself we organisms need to live in harmony. We need to protect our biome and Mother Nature.

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It’s better to use other alternate, effective and renewable resour ces ces than land up alone on

an alternate planet.

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References/Bibliography           

www.wikipedia.org www.sahapedia.org www.dda.com www.allaboutbirds.com  National Geographic Kids www.eol.org www.indianwildlifeclub.com www.motherherbs.com www.sodelhi.com www.natureconservation.in www.webmd.com

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