The Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Gurugram was declared as India’s first “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECM) site on the occasion of World Wetlands Day on 2nd February.
- The proposal to declare Aravalli Biodiversity Park an OECM site was sent by the National Biodiversity Authority to the IUCN in December 2020.
What is OECM tag?
- The OECM tag is given by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to areas that are not protected but support rich biodiversity.
- The OECM tag does not bring any legal, financial or management implications, but designates the area as a biodiversity hotspot on the international map. The aim is to recognise efforts to preserve biodiversity in each state.
- Unlike a sanctuary or a wildlife reserve, where larger the area, the better it is, even small pockets where efforts have been put to preserve the native flora and fauna can be recognised as OECM sites.
About Aravalli Biodiversity Park
- The Aravalli Biodiversity Park (ABP) is spread across 390 acres and has semi-arid vegetation, with around 300 native plants, 101,000 trees, 43,000 shrubs, and several species of birds.
- The park was transformed into a city forest from a 40-year-old mining site through the efforts of citizens, ecologists and scientists along with the help of the urban local body of Gurugram.
- The Aravallis, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, are considered the green lungs of Delhi-NCR.
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