HIGHLIGHTS:
• DDA will host a 15-day event to highlight the revitalized Yamuna floodplains and “revitalize people’s relationship with the river.”
• As part of its riverfront reconstruction project, the DDA has renovated a substantial piece of the 22-kilometer stretch along the river.
• “The goal is to increase the number of people that visit the renovated riverfront.”
• We also hope to raise awareness about the importance of floodplain restoration and to educate people about environmental challenges as a result of this,” an official added.
As part of its ambitious project “Asita,” the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has been methodically working on renewing and ecologically restoring the Yamuna riverside for the past few of years. DDA now wants to connect and bring people closer to the river through a number of nature-based events over the course of a two-week programme.
Rejuvenation of River Yamuna Floodplain
DDA has scheduled nature-oriented activities under the topic of “Rejuvenation of River Yamuna Floodplain” between February 19 and March 6, ranging from nature walks to cycle rallies, sand art, and ghat cleaning.
The first phase of Asita
The river Asita, to give it another name, is separated into four phases. The first phase’s area has been largely developed and is now partially open to the public. DDA had taken over 494 acres on the western riverside between Old Yamuna Bridge and ITO Bridge as part of Phase-I of the project. Parks, recreational places, green walks, cycle paths, wetlands, and a green buffer area are all available to the public.
Smart Cities, Smart Urbanization initiative
As the country commemorates 75 years of independence with “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,” DDA is taking part in the event as part of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ “Smart Cities, Smart Urbanization” initiative.
Amrit Biodiversity Park
The scheduled events will take place in the ‘greenways’ of the DDA’s ongoing endeavor to restore and rejuvenate the river’s floodplains. The first event will feature sand art and a play on the concept of ‘Azaadi Darshan,’ and will take place at the Amrit Biodiversity Park, which is also being built to honour India’s 75th anniversary of independence.
To recreate the Dandi March, a nature walk and bird watching would be held along the eco-trail. The “Avartan Rally” would run from the northern parts of the river’s western bank to Kalindi Kunj in the south, passing through nationally significant structures. The nature-based activities along the Yamuna floodplain, according to an official, would involve people of all ages in order to connect them to the river.
The other events
Other events include a “Jagrukta Abhiyaan” at Yamuna Biodiversity Park to raise awareness about ecosystem restoration and a “Swacchta Abhiyaan” to clean up trash from Qudsia Ghat. DDA will also host yoga exercises on the western bank as part of the “Yogabhyas” programme.
DDA’s work to repair and revitalize
DDA’s work to repair and revitalize the floodplain was selected to be included at the prestigious London Design Biennale 2021, a global gathering of designers, curators, and design institutes, last year. The authorities has been working to guarantee that Delimits can enjoy the riverfront’s beauty and peace up close without disrupting the flora and animals of this environmentally vulnerable zone.
