NOIDA BIODIVERSITY PARK

The NOIDA AUTHORITY has a parcel of land measuring about 75 acres in Sector 91, Noida. The
Authority has mandated it to be developed as “Noida Biodiversity Park” as per the Master Plan.
The Eucalyptus plantation existing at the site which was done 28-30 years back is near the end of
its life span and many of the trees have fallen off on their own, leaving large barren patches. Over
80 species of native and naturalized tree species and over 120 species of shrubs, herbs and other
plants are proposed to replace these.

The Noida Biodiversity Park is envisaged to play an important role in imparting Nature Education
particularly to school and college students besides the Ecological researchers and nature lovers. It
is also meant to be an ecological resource for not only people of neighbouring sectors but also for
residents and children from Noida, Greater Noida and beyond.

Noida Biodiversity Park is planned as an exposition of the biodiversity that may be possible to exist
in the various biomes that could be suitably recreated in the soil type and climate of Delhi NCR
region, particularly the 4 natural divisions (namely, Kohi, Bangar, Khadar & Dabar) observed in the
region besides grasslands, wetlands and other subsidiary plantations like groves of culturally
significant plants and trees, fruit-bearing tree orchards, bambusetum and medicinal & herbal
plants. The park with its proposed ecosystems, is envisaged to provide a good opportunity to learn
about prominent species of plants and animals, seed germination, bioremediation, ecosystem
redevelopment, food webs, and life history strategies through indoor and outdoor exhibition
spaces.

NATIVES SPECIES LIST

KOHI DABAR
A. Dhau Anogesis pendula A. Peelu Salvadora persica
B. Hingot Balanites aegyptiaca B. Jhau
C. Khair Acacia catechu C. Wild date palm Phoenix dactylifera
D. Dhak Butea monosperma D. Babool Acacia nilotica
E. Phulai Acacia modesta
F. Kareel Capparis decidua GRASSLANDS
G. Kala Siris Albizia odoratissima A. Barua Saccharum bengalense
H. Salai Boswellia serrata B. Kans grass Saccharum spontaneum
I. Pisangan Grevia flavescens C.
D.
Elephant grass
Kushgrass
Pennisetum purpureum
Desmostachya bipinnata
DESIGN IDEA
BANGAR E. Zewga Dichanthium annulatum
A. Ber Zizyphus mauritiana F. Dhaulu Chrysophogon fulvus The different components of the Biodiversity Park are illustrated through the various parts of the Flower,
B. Jhand Prosopis cineraria G. Kallar Leptochloa fusca which every school child knows and relates to it from a young age. The ‘Receptacle’ denotes the Entrance
C. Peelu Salvadora persica H. Khui grass Sporobolus diander
D. Kanju Holoptelea integrifolia I. Lal grass Bothricloa pertusa and the Parking. The outer ‘Sepals’ signify the Public Areas – Amphitheatre, Exhibition spaces and Picnic
E. Bistendu Diopyros cordifolia J. Bansi Panicum antidotale Gardens. The Biomes (forest ecosystems) possible in their miniature form are recreated in the six ‘petals’ of
F. Babool Acacia nilotica
the Palash flower. The ‘Bee flight’ or the peripheral path (about 3 km long) passing through the various
G. Ronjh Acacia leucophloea ALLUVIAL RIDGE
A. Jhand Prosopis cineraria valleys is the golf-cart track, permitting movement across the various biomes. A winding path representing
KHADAR B. Kareel Capparis decidua the helix of the ‘DNA’ is laid about the main central path, aligned right across the various biomes in a series
A. Sal Shorea robusta C. Bistendu Diopyros cordifolia
B. Sheesham Dalbergia sisoo D. Babool Acacia nilotica of 7m wide straight path segments with shifting axes, with pavilions (resting place) in between. The low-lying
C. Mahua Bassia latifolia E. Sheesham Dalbergia sisoo linear stretches of seasonal ponds signify the swathes of ‘Nectar’ or the elixir of life (water). There is a
D. Jamun Syzgium cumini
E. Khair Acacia catechu
peripheral jogging path and a cycle track each roughly 6 km long meandering through the various biomes.
F. Babool Acacia nilotica
DESIGN COMPONENTS
There is provision of two Entrances (one near existing entry to land and
other from near the proposed metro station). There is provision of
adequate parking and facilities near both the entries along with an
administrative office, Interpretation centre, open exhibition spaces,
amphitheatre, a small food court, childrens’s activity area and a
miniature picnic area. A 3 km long golf-cart track passing through the
various valleys, permitting movement across the various biomes. The
various biomes are also connected in a series of straight path segments
with shifting axes, with pavilions (resting place) in between. There is a 5
km Jogging walking track on the periphery which passes through
various biomes. There is also a 3.5km cycle track with stands near both
the entries to the park, where cycles can be obtained free of cost. Two
stepped water bodies have been provided near each of the entries for
festival use by the residents in existing low lying areas.

PLANTING
There are over 80 species of native and naturalized tree
species and over 120 species of shrubs, herbs and other plants
proposed with varieties like Dhak, Shisham, Neem, Goolar,
Dhau, Amaltas, Kusum, Peepal, Bargad, Mango, Mahua,
Chorisia, Jhand, Peelu, Ronjh, Khajoor, Kachnar, Bakain,
Maulsiri and several others.

The complete lighting requirement of the park including

irrigation pumps is proposed to be met through solar energy
with a generation of 50KVA.

PLANTING STRUCTURE
The natural vegetation of this region is sometimes called a
‘thorn forest’, which forms a transition zone where dry
deciduous forest shades into desert scrub.
From a wider perspective, thorn forests – along with dry
deciduous forests and a few others – are constituents of a type
of forest called ‘Monsoon Forests’. They are open, single-
storeyed , and most trees have thin, feathery crowns.

THE PROPOSED 6 MICRO-HABITATS or ‘BIOMES’

In this region, it is possible to distinguish 5 distinct ‘biomes’, with
small shades of ecological differences based on soil and geology.
As far back as 1887, the Gazetteer of Delhi described the district
BIOME 1
as having 4 ‘natural divisions’ with distinct micro-habitats.
Besides them, one more micro-habitat for trees can perhaps be added to the list.
Also, a micro-habitat which is possible to exist is the ‘savannah’ that the Bangar area
may have become if left to nature. The 6 biomes being displayed here are:
KOHI or hilly tracts;
BANGAR or level main land;
KHADAR or sandy riverain of the Yamuna;
DABAR or low-lying land subject to seasonal flooding;
THE ALLUVIAL RIDGE or sandy alluvium piled with deep soil;
‘SAVANNAH’ or sub-tropical grassland ecosystem
BIOME 2
ECOTONE
The ‘Bees’ hovering over the Valley Gardens represent the seed pods
BIOME 3 BIOME 4 or the Ecotone signifying the transitions between the two biomes. It is
expressed as a valley between two gentle mounds (about 3m high),
through which the 3.5m wide golf cart track meanders through. It is
BIOME 5 punctuated with plantation of flowering trees like Dhak, Jhand,
Amaltas ec.
At the beginning of the Valley Garden, a descriptive plaque with the
BIOME 6 description on the Biome is provided in a mini garden.