Aravalli Biodiversity Park                                        

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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.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/gurugram-news/aravalli-biodiversity-park-in-gurugram-declared-as-india-s-first-oecm-site-101643834401345.html