An educational trip to Aravalli Biodiversity Park (ABP), New Delhi was conducted for the Faculty, Post Graduate and Pre-PhD students of DPSRU on 17th March 2018 on the call of Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal’s offer to explore the possibility of utilization of the herbal wealth of such parks for study and research. The purpose of the field visit to Aravalli Biodiversity Park was to explore the abundant and rare flora and fauna in the area and to identify the potential plants for development of herbal formulations.
The Aravalli Biodiversity Park is spread over an area of 692 acres of land located on north west of Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. The area was highly degraded due to past mining activities and the native biodiversity was nearly extinct. As a result of amalgamation of science and administration, the degraded terrain of ABP has been ecologically transformed into a wide range of forest ecosystem in less than a decade. The entire stretch was made vehicle free and has two major zones: the visitor Zone and Natural reserve zone.
DPSRU team headed by Vice Chancellor Prof R.K Goyal was welcomed by Prof C.R Babu, Former Pro-Vice Chancellor of Delhi University and Project In Charge of Aravalli Biodiversity Park and emphasized the importance of ecology, conservation of natural resources and offered to DPSRU for collaboration with biodiversity park for a fruitful outcome. A team of Scientists and Ecologist entrusted with Biodiversity Park Programme accompanied the group from DPSRU.
As per the survey conducted on 2017, as many as 1000 species of plants and animals live among 35 biotic communities. It was really exciting to see a thick forest inside a crowded city. The team was guided to cover most of the prime attractions of the biodiversity park including wide range of forest communities ranging from grasslands, shrublands to deciduous forest which have become home for many birds, insects reptiles and mammals. The entire trail was amazing and informative which covered Bougainvillearium, Orchidarium, Fernarium, butterfly conservatory, camping area and herbal garden which is a repository of medicinal plants. It was surprising to know that small mined pits were converted into orchidarium and fernarium which is used for promoting conservation education among students. The conservatory of butterflies is one of the major attraction of the biodiversity park which has more than 100 species of butterflies and moths. The ecologist who accompanied the team demonstrated all the stages of the life cycle of a butterfly and explained how well these butterflies render pollination services that makes the orchard to produce fruits and seeds.
One of the high point of the visit was team planted 10-15 saplings in the plantation area which was initiated by the Vice Chancellor, DPSRU. At the end of the natural trial, we were amazed at the manner in which nature adapted. Some of the mining areas were transformed into small water holes attracting the fauna.
Added to our excitement was the herbal garden which was our area of interest. The ABP is not only preserving but also multiplying many threatened medicinal plants. Prof. Babu who was guiding the group, mentioned the potential medicinal plants to work on. The herbal garden is a repository of around 250 species native to the Aravallis. The team was shown various medicinal plants which are used in the treatment of blood pressure, Rheumatism, Epilepsy, Paralysis, Skin diseases, Hypertension and Liver disorders. Most of the medicinal plants such as tulsi, sarpagandha, dudhi, kalmegh, brahmi and guggul that are found in the park can provide home remedies for several common diseases such as cold and cough, dysentery, arthritis and ulcers. The ABP possess some rare species of medicinal plants yet to be explored.
After the end of the nature trail, the team was led to an auditorium and Dr Shah Hussain, Wild life Ecologist and Scientist Incharge of ABP made an informative presentation on the origin, development, activities of ABP and various insects, flora and fauna available in the park. Prof Goyal also expressed his views and enthusiasm to collaborate with the bio diversity park for outcome research. Prof Babu extended whole hearted support in this regard. A short film on biodiversity park drew everyone's attention. The hospitality of the organizers was exemplary.
After deliberations of Prof C.R Babu and Dr. Shah Hussain with Prof. Ramesh Goyal and Prof. Raman Dang with all the team members of biodiversity park and faculty of DPSRU, the following decisions were taken.
The focus on 3-niche areas like viral disease, fungal disease, metabolic disorders and inflammatory disorders for the development of herbal formulation.
Following plants were prima facie selected to be explored.
1. Rhus Mysorensis
2. Maytenus Emarginata
3. Maerua Oblongifolius
4. Capparis Aphylla
5.Tecomella Undulata
6. Mimosa Lanata
7. Lycium Nepalensis
8. Ehretia Laevis
9. Albizia Amara
10. Dichno Stachys Cineria
11. Clerodendrum Phlomides
12. Prosopis Cineraria.
Joint projects will be developed in collaboration with Biodiversity Park and DPSRU such that herbal products are brought in at the earliest in the market.
Funding sources may be explored accordingly.
In short, the visit to biodiversity park was both refreshing and knowledgeable to all members of DPSRU and a great source of motivation for the entire team and helped to understand the revival of a degraded ecosystem.