LG hosts G20 diplomats at Asita biodiversity park
Lieutenant governor VK Saxena on Sunday hosted diplomats from some of the G20 countries participating in the summit later this year at the newly developed Asita East biodiversity park built along the floodplains of the Yamuna.
An official from the LG secretariat said ambassadors and diplomats of 11 countries visited Asita East early on Sunday.
“The envoys went on a nature trail and birdwatching tour along the floodplains, spotting over 30 species of birds. The site hosts diverse vegetation and features rare migratory birds. These diplomats also went cycling through the vast grasslands of Asita East,” the official said on condition of anonymity, adding that Union minister of state for external affairs Meenakshi Lekhi was also present for the outing.
Considering the ecologically sensitive character of the area, the visitors left their vehicles at the entrance of the floodplains
on Vikas Marg and took electric carts to reach the biodiversity park, the official said.
Spread over 90 hectares, Asita East has been developed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) as part of its ambitious Yamuna riverfront redevelopment project. Work on the project started in 2017 and it was inaugurated by the LG in September last year.
“Just six months back, this fragile riverine ecosystem was a dump yard of waste, squatters and stray animals. Persistent efforts by DDA have resulted in
salvaging a self-contained ecosystem. Though the Yamuna floodplains remain fragile, efforts are being made to restore and rejuvenate Delhi’s natural heritage that is crucial for making Delhi environmentally sustainable,” Saxena said.
Asita East has a restored wetland of about 2.5 hectares. “It has a plantation of 4,000 native trees of the floodplain ecosystem and 3.35 million riverine grasses, which has attracted 63 varieties of resident and migratory birds this winter to make it their home,” he added.