As part of the Wildlife Week celebrations, Delhi's Forest and Wildlife Department recently announced six days of daily bird walks at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary

The Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is a significant ecological area located on the Southern Delhi Ridge of the Aravalli hill range, straddling the Delhi-Haryana border.

Location

• Area: 32.71 square kilometers

• The sanctuary spans across Southern Delhi and the northern parts of Faridabad and Gurugram districts in Haryana.

• It forms part of the North Aravalli Leopard Wildlife Corridor, which extends from Sariska National Park in Rajasthan, through Haryana, and connects to the Delhi Ridge.

• The sanctuary merges with the Indo-Gangetic Plain, making it an important biodiversity hotspot.

Ecological Significance

• Asola Bhatti holds substantial biodiversity significance, supporting a variety of flora and fauna. It is part of the Southern Ridge, which is crucial for maintaining ecological balance in the region.

Vegetation and Flora

• The sanctuary's vegetation is categorized under the Northern Tropical Thorn Forests type (Champion & Seth, 1968).

• It has xerophytic plants with adaptations such as thorny appendages, wax-coated, succulent, and tomentose leaves to withstand the dry conditions.

• Some notable trees include Neem, Peepal, and Jamun, and the area also boasts a large collection of medicinal plants.

Fauna

• The sanctuary is home to several species of mammals, including the Nilgai (Blue Bull), Indian Porcupine, Indian Hare, and Indian Grey Mongoose.

• Over 200 species of birds can be found here, including iconic species such as:

  • Indian Peafowl (Peacock)

  • Red Junglefowl

  • Indian Grey Hornbill

Bird Watching and Conservation Efforts

• The bird walks organized during Wildlife Week provide an opportunity for nature enthusiasts to explore and learn about the rich avian diversity of the sanctuary.

• The sanctuary’s ecological importance is amplified by its role in the North Aravalli Leopard Corridor, making it an essential part of the broader conservation efforts in the region.

Conclusion

The Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is a vital natural reserve that contributes significantly to the biodiversity of the Delhi Ridge and the Aravalli Range. The sanctuary not only supports a wide array of flora and fauna but also plays a key role in larger wildlife corridors, ensuring the migration and survival of species like leopards and other mammals.

Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary

Why Eco Sensitive zone tag to Asola Wildlife sanctuary?

• The Asola wildlife sanctuary has both floral and faunal diversity in the form of
• Wide variety of trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses.
• The large number of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and dragonflies.
• Sanctuary comprises of Around 200 species of resident and migratory birds.
• Wildlife habitats inside the sanctuary act as water recharge zone for Delhi, Faridabad and Gurugram.

Regulated Activities

1. Hotels and resorts: will not be allowed within 1 km of the boundary of the protected area or up to the extent of the Eco-Sensitive Zone, whichever is nearer.
2. Construction: only “Small temporary structures” for eco-tourism activities.
3. Small-scale non polluting industries
4. Felling of trees
5. Civic infrastructure

Banned Activities

1. Commercial mining
2. Stone quarrying
3. Industrial and polluting industries
4. Sawmills brick kilns

Allowed Activities

1. Rainwater harvesting
2. Organic farming
3. Cottage industries
4. Agroforestry

Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 32.7 square kilometres and is at the end of an important wildlife corridor that starts from Sariska National Park in Alwar, Rajasthan and passes through Mewat, Faridabad and Gurugram districts of Haryana.