DDA parks enhance quality of life in Delhi: Vice Chairman
Underlining the importance of land management and urban awareness in protecting sites from natural disasters, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Vice Chairman Dr N Saravana Kumar said on Monday that the parks developed by the organisation are significantly improving the quality of life in the national Capital.
Making this assertion on the occasion of World Wetlands Day, he also noted that nearly 15 per cent of Delhi’s geographical area comprises DDA parks, which are accessible to the public, and that the seven Biodiversity Parks developed by DDA in collaboration with CEMDE (Delhi University) are enhancing the quality of life of citizens.
The Wetland Day was celebrated at DDA’s Yamuna Biodiversity Park (YBP) amphitheatre near the restored wetland. The event was organised around the global theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” highlighting that wetland conservation is deeply rooted in traditional practices and is not a modern concept.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 350 attendees, including students from Delhi University colleges-SPM College, Keshav Mahavidyalaya, School of Business Economics, Zakir Hussain College, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College, IP College for Women, Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University, Satyavati College, MV College of Education, Mata Sundri College, and Shivaji College-along with researchers, UPSC aspirants, academicians, journalists, nature enthusiasts, local communities, and DDA officials.
Kumar also emphasised the DDA’s role in removing encroachments from the Yamuna floodplains and developing Baansera and Asita Parks, and encouraged students to visit these ecological spaces.
Professor CR Babu underscored that all rivers originate from wetlands-whether glaciers, lakes, or ponds, and stressed that the survival of the planet depends on the restoration and preservation of wetlands. He pointed out that over 87 per cent of the world’s wetlands are extinct, and most of the extant wetlands are highly degraded and non-functional.
Dr Shashank Shekhar, Department of Geology, University of Delhi, explained the role of wetlands in maintaining river flow. He highlighted that Biodiversity Parks developed on floodplains help in regulating nutrient cycling, reducing pollution, and protecting rivers from nutrient loading.
Professor Yamini Gupt, Department of Business Economics, University of Delhi, shared insights on the economic value of wetlands are worth $26.4 trillion, exceeding the GDP of many countries.
