Aravalli Biodiversity Park

Description

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Context: Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Gurugram declared as India’s first “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECM) site.

The proposal to declare Aravalli Biodiversity Park an OECM site was sent by the National Biodiversity Authority to the IUCN in December 2020.

About other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECM) tag:

It is a conservation designation for areas that are achieving the effective in-situ conservation of biodiversity outside of protected areas.
Definition of OECM: A geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio–economic, and other locally relevant values.
Given by: This tag is given by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to areas that are not protected but support rich biodiversity.
No legal implications: OECM tag does not bring any legal, financial or management implications, but designates the area as a biodiversity hotspot on the international map.
Significance: Help this biodiversity hotspot to get worldwide recognition.

About Aravalli Biodiversity Park:

Located in: Gurugram, Haryana.
It had several mining pits and large, barren valley-like spaces. That is restored with native plants that helped in seasonal water accumulation, making them special micro-habitats within the larger Aravalli landscape.
- The Aravallis, are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.
Vegetation: The natural vegetation of the park falls within the Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest and Northern Tropical Thorn Forest types recognised by Champion and Seth.
The area is highly degraded due to past mining and infested with Prosopis juliflora.
It has medicinal plant conservatory to promote conservation, education and awareness on the importance of plants in health care system.
Sacred Grove has been developed in this park. Which have plant species with religious importance such as Ficus, Aegle, Nyctanthes arbor tristis, Sapindus, Madhuca etc.