Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Gurugram declared as India’s first OECM site

What is the News?

Aravalli Biodiversity Park was declared India’s first “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECM) site.

What are the other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM) Sites?

The OECM tag is given by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The tag is conferred upon areas that have achieved effective in-situ conservation of biodiversity, but are outside protected areas like national parks and sanctuaries.

The OECM tag does not bring any legal, financial or management implications but designates the area as a biodiversity hotspot on the international map.

Note: The proposal to declare Aravalli Biodiversity Park an OECM site was sent by the National Biodiversity Authority to the IUCN in 2020.

What is Aravalli Biodiversity Park?

The Aravalli Biodiversity Park is located in Gurugram. It has semi-arid vegetation with lots of native plants, trees, 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.

Source: This post is based on the article “Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Gurugram declared as India’s first OECM site” published in Hindustan Times on 3^rd Feb 2022.