EDEN IN THE CITY

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