In a plan that would help make the Yamuna cleaner and replenish ground water around it, the lieutenant Governor of Delhi approved the development of the Yamuna River Front Biodiversity Park.
To be created on both banks of river from Palla in the north to Okhla Barrage, the park would span across an area of 7,000 hectare creating a network of wetlands. While the western embankment’s wetlands will filter sewerage, the eastern bank will be used to restore the original flood plains of the river, rebuilding the habitat of birds and Gavialidae reptiles.
The 45-km stretch along Yamuna currently has an active flood plain of 700 hectares. Over the years, the flood plain of the river has either been encroached upon or has turned into silt. The lieutenant Governor approved a budget of Rs 100 crore to restore the plains.
A team of scientist under the leadership of Professor CR Babu has initiated the process of restoring the Yamuna flood plains. The scientists will work under the aegis of the Delhi Biodiversity Foundation.
The overflowing of the banks of Yamuna for the past two years in the monsoon has led to the re-creation of the wetlands along the river. These wetlands are now acting as habitat for birds.
Elaborating on the ‘treatment wetlands’ on the eastern embankment which will help filter sewerage, Babu said: “A network of wetlands will be created along the river front to act like a sewerage treatment plant. Hydrophyte wetland plants species like Phragmites Karka, which have the ability to absorb bad odor, decompose microbial content and decolorise the water will be allowed to grow in these wetlands.” The wetlands will be made to capture a sizeable volume of the current. “The water will be constantly flowing from one wetland to another before it meets the main river. Through a network of check dams, each wetland will hold the water for some time before it passes on to the next,” explained the professor.
On the opposite embankment, about 500 million gallons of flood water will be captured. “The west bank will be developed into a biodiversity park with a bird sanctuary and a Gavialidae center. It will be restored into the active flood plain along with 70 per cent of the river,” said the professor.
A team of scientists have started working on identifying the potential sites to create the wetlands on both embankments. The restoration work for the existing wetlands has also been initiated.
Over a 100 patches of wetlands are to be developed on both banks. These flood plains will also have the ability to recharge sustainable amount of flood water. “After these wetlands are created and made operational, it will make ample water available to bore wells along the eastern and the western parts of the river,” Babu said.