Kamal Kant Koner can hardly believe that a green and serene Yamuna Bio-Diversity Park
actually exists
within congested Delhi We travel so far only to realize that paradise could be just next door. That’s what
struck me this month. For years, I’ve seen the world vicariously through the pages of
ET Travel, (which I design, incidentally!) and then a chance news item set me on an
amazing path of discovery. It was an article on a bird sanctuary in Delhi itself and
I, a hardened cynic like most people who have breathed this city’s smog and braved its
jams for too long, scarcely believed it could be true,....
But it was. Just 13 km from the congested crossing of ITO, where we all work in Times
House! Unbelievable, but that’s what the auto rickshaws meter displayed. So near yet
so far from my world that I had a hard time convincing myself that it was true. But so
it was, and I reached the somewhat blandly named Yamna Biodiversity Park just around
11:30am. It was already a bit to warm, thanks to the unusual weather patterns this
year, and I figured I should have reached at least an hour earlier, the slated time
for opening.
Already dreaming of photographing the wealth of birdlife nestling in the 457 acre park
that was set up in the northern part o Delhi in 2003, I came to a rude stop at the
main gate though, as the security staff informed me that I needed a prior appointment.
Appointment?
To see a bio-diversity park at a
time when eco-sensitivity is the latest mantra being popularized? Ah well, bureaucracy
clearly moves to its own tune.
Anyway, one staffer had the bright idea of taking me to one of the scientists who is
responsible for the park. And it helps sometimes to flash our natty Times group
identity card! The scientist finally let me into the park, albeit with an escort. So
entry free but no freedom! I wanted to stroll around, but there’s a strict rule that
staffers (even scientists) accompany all visitors. The reason given — and I admit it’s
plausible — is there are at least 7 species of snakes in the
area, including deadly cobras.
But snakes are hardly the first thought when in the garden of Eden, right? I was just
astounded that a park with so much of wildlife, water and greenery actually exists in
our backyard. The noisy city, surrounded by gritty urban villages faded away until I
was in the midst of a perfectly natural habitat. As I made my way to the water body,
the silence was only broken by the chirping and twittering of birds. On the way, my
escort stopped at a small bamboo shed in the middle of the park. There I saw what
seemed to be a green pigeon on top of a tree. Later I found plenty more round the
park.
With winter already on the wane, the water body was alive with migratory birds.
Pintails,
Green Head ducks, Indian Cormorants
and many other species. I learnt that some 200 species of birds can be seen in
the park, including migratory ones, and a tree of the acacia family in the centre of
the ‘lake’ seemed to be their preferred perch. At this time of the morning they were
already quite active and seemed almost close enough to touch thanks to the zoom lens
of my camera.
Incidentally, despite the rather gruff welcome, I was pleased to find out that the
park also lends out binoculars to visitors. Once they clear the hurdle of getting in,
that is!
Emboldened that I had actually been taken so far inside the park that was usually
reserved for scholars and scientists (why that should be so is another matter!) I
dared to ask if I could have a closer look from the other side. My escort agreed!
Tromping through the marshy wetland, I caught a wonderful glimpse of a Humming Bird,
brilliant in its fluttering charm. At the other end of the lake, was a hidden space
covered on three sides with dry grass, with a small hole on each side. Once inside I
could see the birds really close up, starting with a flotilla of ducks in the water.
True to its name, three’s more to the park than just birds; it’s also a repository of
many plants, trees, shrubs and herb. There’s also a bamboo bridge links to the
butterfly zone. Although I came across butterflies and insects all over
the park, a
special environment is created
for them in this space and some 36 species have already been identified as ‘residents’
of ties biodiversity park. Different kinds of flowers make it an ideal hub for
butterflies, bees, wasps and many other nectar loving insects. It’s easy to see them
but much too difficult to capture them with my camera!
Courtesy:- ET dtd:- 26-02-09
