Maansi Rawat

Despite Delhi’s “very poor” air quality, the smog-filled mornings still witness fitness enthusiasts heading out for their daily walks. Another group of such passionate individuals gathered early on the 9th of November 2024 at the Dheerpur Wetland Project Site (DWPS), a restored urban wetland ecosystem, for a nature walk. CUES along with Ecological Restoration Alliance(ERA) had organized this event for those eager to gain a deeper understanding of urban wetland restoration process.

Registration for the event began at 7:30 AM, with the CUES team providing each participant with a kit. The kit included a brochure, a list of bird and butterfly species spotted at the wetland, and a notepad for jotting down their thoughts. The day kicked off with a cup of tea/coffee and snacks to shake off the morning jitters. Prof. Suresh Babu, Director of CUES, then gave an overview of the project, discussing the challenges faced, the native species introduced, and the monitoring efforts, which included using NDVI to track vegetation and avifaunal surveys for biodiversity assessment.

The walk began with Prof. Babu showing photographs of the foundation stone laid before restoration work commenced. A vast stretch of bare land is visible in the background of the photograph. Participants could now see the striking contrast, with native trees and grasses thriving in place. This transformation is credited to the dedicated efforts of the CUES team and staff, who meticulously planned the restoration design, diligently planted saplings, and managed the site with care.

The walk continued along the trails of Phragmites as participants made their way to the first stop at the heart of the wetland. Here, Prof. Babu recounted the fire incident that occurred last February. A fire that had been started by an unidentified source blazed through the Phragmites field leaving only ash on its wake. To a layperson, it might have appeared as though the fire marked the end of the project’s efforts. However, to the CUES team, it was merely a pulse disturbance, a short-term, intense event with only temporary effects on the ecosystem. The strategically planted bamboo (Bambusa bambusa) along the trails had acted as a natural barrier, containing and preventing the fire from spreading further. You could see the amazement on the faces of the participants as they were standing among the lush green grasses and trees with no sign of burn, indicating that the ecosystem showed resilience.

Unable to access the deep wetland area due to this year’s abundant rainfall, participants were intrigued to see agriculture being practised on the other side of the trail. Although this land is a part of the wetland project, its ownership remains contested. This initiated a discussion on the challenges of land ownership in urban restoration context. It highlighted the importance of community participation among diverse stakeholders.

Moving along on the trail lined with Acacia catechu, Bombax ceiba, Ficus spp., Oroxylum indicum, Saraca asoca, Terminalia arjuna, and clusters of Leucaena leucocephala, participants arrived at the waterbody, now replenished by seasonal rains. Here, a discussion ignited on the complexities of restoration in the urban. For practitioners, invasive plants like Leucaena pose a unique challenge because they often need careful management to prevent competition with native species. Yet, for ecologists, invasives are viewed as an inevitable element within urban ecosystems, contributing to what is known as novel ecosystems. The presence of invasives can reflect new ecological dynamics that restoration practitioners must navigate.

The walk ended as the participants returned to the porta cabin, where they were welcomed back with another round of refreshments. Inside, a display showcased insects specimen and photographs curated by Dr. Ojit, an entomologist who recently rediscovered two species of cicadas at the Dheerpur wetland (Jeenat et al., 2024). Both the species were recorded feeding on Leucaena and Prosopis juliflora. He shared detailed insights into the how this urban wetland supports rich biodiversity of insects.

The event concluded with a gathering near the pond, where participants introduced themselves. Representing various organizations and fields of expertise, they were all driven by a shared curiosity about the wetland site and the restoration process. Hence, showcasing the diversity within the community of restoration practitioners. The event was a success, bringing together passionate minds and opening inspiring dialogues on how ecological restoration can play a crucial role in tackling pressing environmental challenges like pollution.

Here’s to many more nature walks and restoration talks!

Featured Image Credit: CUES Team

References:

Jeenat., Singh, M. O. K., Singh, P. R., & Babu, S. (2024, September). Cicadas (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadidae) recorded from Dheerpur Wetland Park, Delhi. Bionotes, 26(3).