BRING ARAVALLI BACK TO LIFE

GuruJal plans is to increase the forest cover of Gurugram district by intensive afforestation and to restore the degraded patches of Aravalli hills in the form of Biodiversity Park and Urban City Forest. There is need to increase the forest cover from 9.24% to 10.24% by planting saplings of native species and by preserving 420 acres of biodiversity park of Damdama & Kherla village. It is estimated to produce enough oxygen for 5400 people a year.

NEED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIODIVERSITY PARK

Deforestation

Land Degradation

Encroachments

Mining

Pollution

Invasive Species

Development Activities

THE AIM

Community-based ecological restoration of the gram panchayat area of  Damdama and Kherla village and to repair the damaged ecosystem caused by human activities and seeks to return the place to an earlier state.

To increase forest cover of the
Gurugram district
To protect and conserve the local
biodiversity of flora and fauna
To develop a revenue generation
model for the local community
To conserve the natural resources like soil and water
To promote eco-tourism
Village NameDamdama and Kherla
LocationSohna Block, District of Gurugram, Haryana
Lat/Long 28°18’51.84″N,   77° 7’31.74″E
Total Population of Damdama and Kherla9794
Acres/hectares under farming/ Agriculture350 acre out of 400 acres  – Damdama,  750 acres  out of 900 acres – Kherla   
Elevation219 above sea level 
Minerals china clay,lead, quartz, zinc
Distance from National Capital 65 km
Modes of traveling By Road
Damdama and Kherla The lake was commissioned by the British in 1947 for rainwater harvesting. In its current form, however, what makes Damdama Lake enticing is that it is home to over 190 species of native and migratory birds. In monsoons, water levels reach as high as fifty feet and this is when most of the migratory birds are spotted. Damdama Lake is the biggest lake in Haryana and stretches to almost three thousand acres. 
Other local stories & relevance of some gathering and ceremoniesThe ranges gives a scenic atmosphere to the lake and one can enjoy boating in row boats, paddle boats and motor boats. Damdama lake provides ample scope for adventure lovers. There are facilities to enjoy trekking near the Aravalli Hills. Apart from these, other attractions here are hot air ballooning, para Sailing, kayaking, cycling, angling, rowing, fishing and nature walks. Navratri Celebrations – Devi  Mandir Gathering. 
Relevance of Aravallis The Aravalis act as a barrier between the fertile plains in the east and the sandy desert in the west. Historically, it is said that the Aravalli range checked the spread of the Thar desert towards the Indo-Gangetic plains, serving as a catchment of rivers and plains.
The Aravalli is rich in biodiversity and provides habitat to 300 native plant species, 120 bird species and many exclusive animals like the jackal and mongoose.
Aravallis have an impact upon the climate of northwest India and beyond. During monsoons, it provides barrier and monsoon clouds move eastwards towards Shimla and Nainital, thus helping nurture the sub-Himalayan rivers and feeding the north Indian plains. In the winter months, it protects the fertile alluvial river valleys from the cold westerly winds from Central Asia.
For Haryana, having the lowest forest cover at around 3.59% of the total forest cover in India, the Aravalli range is the only saving grace, providing the major portion of its forest cover.
Aravallis also function as a groundwater recharge zone for the regions around that absorb rainwater and revive the groundwater level.
This range is considered the “lungs” for the world’s most polluted air of Delhi–National Capital Region (NCR)
Tourism Resorts Holiday home, the gateway resort,Saras Resort
Cycling/Trekking City dwellers of Gurgaon get away during the weekends and other mid-week breaks for cycling along the lake. Treks are also popular along the mountain forest 
Dependency on Forest 3/4 times for cooking purposes – at least 55% of the households in Damdama use fuel wood and 25% of the households in Kherla 
Industries and other commercial activities Mining of Quartz , Taj Hotel, Gateway Resort, Fishery Department. 
No. of Males and Females Damdama: male – 2323 , female-1682  Kherla : Female – 2720 Male – 3069
Local and Migratory Population350 people 
Mining – Minerals, sand, wood, etc.china clay,lead,zinc,copper,kabuli kheekar
Oxygen generation potential 67,576 metric tones of carbon sequestration for period of 15 year
Oxygen consumption for people 1 Acre of tree cover = can offset oxygen consumption for 8 people in a year. For an area of 420 acres = can offset oxygen consumption for 3360 people in a year
Improvement in Soil Quality  Slowing down of water runoff helps with building-up a layer of fine soil and manure particles, rich in nutriet and  prevent fertile soil erosion with help of check dam, loose boulder structure ,furrows , earthen gully plugs
Water Recharge and Quality 380640 kiloliter, note-  The weathered rocks of Aravalli—fissured and highly jointed quartzite, schist and phyllites, make ideal zones for the percolation of rainwater and contribute to the aquifers below.
Other flora fauna aspects Acacia nilotica (kikar), Eucalyptus hybrid, E.Canaldulensis (safeda), Dalbergia sisoo (shisham), A. tortilis (Israeli kikar), Prosopis juliflora (vilayati kikar), Albizia procera (siris), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Melia azadirach (bakain). Cassia siamea plantations have been raised successfully. Kikar constitutes about 75 per cent of the total crop. Near and within habitations, ornamental and shade giving trees exist. The common species planted in such areas are – Delonix regia (gulmohar), Cassia fistula (amaltas), C. siamea, Azadirachta indica (neem), Parkinsonia aculeata, Kegelia pinnata, Ficus religiosa (peepal), Ficus bengalensis (barh), Melia azadirach (bakain), Terminalia arjuna (arjun), Pongamia pinnata, P.glabra, Alianthus exelsa (maha neem), Dalbergia sisoo (shisham) etc. The flora includes in total 45 species of trees, 42 species of shrubs, 14 climbers and 29 grasses.
Need to prevent Deforestation in Aravallis The rapid deforestation and developmental activities are destroying the unique landscape that requires immediate conservation attention. These vulnerable areas are biologically rich and support several unique elements of flora and fauna. Hence proper assessment and monitoring is necessary for restoration of the biological diversity because lack of ecological information leads to mismanagement. It is not just the biodiversity and forest cover of the Aravalli that underscores their immense importance. The Aravalli also serve as a source of groundwater recharge for the cities of Gurgaon and Delhi, as well as many other cities in its ambit. The aquifers in these ranges are interconnected and any disturbance or alterations in the pattern can significantly alter the groundwater table. A Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) study from June 2017 mapped five transect in the Aravalli that help recharge the groundwater in Gurgaon. These are responsible for channelling groundwater to the Badshapur, Sector 56 and 45, Hariyahera and Bhondsi areas in the city. But with rampant mining and construction taking place in the foothills, the aquifers are increasingly threatened 
Circle rates (Government land rates – residential & commercial)Residential- 4400 per sq.yard  , Commercial – 4800 per sq.yard                                  
Khasra numbers Khasra Number under Section 4 and 5 – 3=4 to 8, 12 to 19, 23 to 25, 4= 1,2, 6 to 25, 5 = 20,21, 6= 1,10 to 12, 18 to 23, 7 = 1 to 25, 8 = 3 to 8, 13 to 29, 22 to 25, 21 = 1 to 9, 12 to 19, 22 to 25, 22 = 1 to 25, 23 = 1 to 4, 7 to 15, 17 to 25, 24 = 1, 25 = 1 to 3, 10, 11, 20, 26 = 2 to 9, 13 to 15. Khasra Number = Gair mumkin Pahar except of Aravalli Plantation -66,38, 8 = 9, 12, 24 = 2,3,4, 25 = 4 
PLPA act and regulationsSection 4 – Power to regulate, restrict or prohibit, by general or special order, within notified areas, certain matters.                                                                         

(a) the clearing or breaking up or cultivating of land not ordinarily under
cultivation prior to the publication of the notification under section,                                                            

(b) the quarrying of stone or the burning of lime at places where such
stone or lime had not ordinarily been so quarried or burnt prior to the
publication of the notification under section 3.

(c) the cutting of trees or timber, or the collection or removal or subjection
to any manufacturing process, otherwise than as described in clause (b) of
this sub-section of any forest-produce other than grass, save for bonafide
domestic or agricultural purposes in such area.

(d) the setting on fire of trees, timber or forest produce.

(e) the admission, herding, pasturing or retention of sheep, goats or camels.

(f) the examination of forest-produce passing out of any such area; and

(g) the granting of permits to the inhabitants of towns and villages situate
within the limits or in the vicinity of any such area, to take any tree, timber or
forest produce for their own use therefrom, or to pasture sheep, 26[26][goats or camels] or to cultivate or erect buildings therein and the production
and return of such permits by such persons.

Section 5-  Power, in certain cases to regulate, restrict or prohibit, by special order within notified areas, certain further matters.

(a) the cultivating of any land ordinarily under cultivation prior to the publication
of the notification under section 3.                                                                                                                 

(b) the quarrying of any stone or the burning of any lime at places where such
stone or lime had ordinarily been so quarried or burnt prior to the publication of
the notification under section 3;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

(c) the cutting of trees or timber or the collection or removal or subjection to any
manufacturing process, otherwise than as described in clause (b) of this
sub-section of any forest-produce [for any purposes];                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

(d) the admission, herding, pasturing or retention of cattle generally other than
sheep, [goats and camels] or of any class or description of such cattle

AreaAmount (In Kilolitres) annually
Rain water received (annually)951619.2
Recharged Potential by using recharge structures like check dams, ridges, furrows and nala bundh3,80,640
Water recharged by rejuvenating 3 water bodies22,257.40
Total recharge potential of water annually in millionlitres402.89
  
AreaAmount of oxygen produces (in metric ton)
420 Acre29484 per year
  
AreaAmount of Carbon Sequester (in metric ton)
420 Acre67536 in 15 years
For oxygen
1 tree = Produces 117 kg of Oxygen per year
1 Acre = 600 trees = 70,200 kg of oxygen per year
420 Acre = 2,52,000 trees = 29484000 kg = 29484 metric ton of oxygen per year.
 
For Carbon Sequestration
1 tree squester = 268 kg of CO2 for period of 15 years 
1 Acre =600 trees sequester = 160800 kg of CO2 for period of 15 year
420 Acre = 2,52,000 trees = 67536000 kg = 67536 metric tons capacity of CO2 for period of 15 years 

SHORT TERM TARGETS

PRE STUDY

NURSERY DEVELOPMENT

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

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