Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam Explained

Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam
Type:Biodiversity park ex situ / educative botanical garden
Location:Rani Chandramani Devi Government Hospital, Pedda Waltair, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Area:3 acres
Operator:DNCS in co-ordination with VMRDA and RCD Govt. Hospital
Status:Open all year

Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam, is a botanical garden, an ex situ conservation park, first of its kind in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.[1] The park is located in the premises of the Rani Chandramani Devi Government Hospital. It extends over 3acres. Dolphin Nature Conservation Society (DNCS), Visakhapatnam, a registered, eco-friendly, non-government organization, has maintained it for 13 years and is now maintaining it in collaboration with the hospital and Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority.[2] The park was inaugurated on 5 June 2002.[1] This park has more than 2,000 species of plants.[3] and has recorded visits by 60 species of birds and 105 species of butterflies.[4] The park has become a "living laboratory" for education, awareness and research for students, and botanists, zoologists and researchers.[5] [6] [7]

Zones

The park has 10 major zones:[8] These sections harbour very rare and endangered species like maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba) and botanical oddities or curiosities like Krishna's butter cup, holy cross, Jesus smile, autograph tree, upside-down tree, Mickey Mouse tree, laughing Buddha bamboo, octopus tree.[3] [6] It has a 'green house or polynetted house', 'pond', 'cactus & succulent conservatory'. The society started a interpretation-cum-training centre,[9] to conduct workshops and training programs.

Plants

The Biodiversity Park contains the following groups of plant:

Birds

60 species of birds have been recorded in the park, including Golden-backed woodpecker, Spotted owlet, Parakeets, Brahminy starling, Greater Coucal, Red-whiskered bulbul, Purple sunbird and Barn owl.[12]

Butterflies

More than 100 species belonging to 6 families were observed in the Eastern Ghats Forests and Urban Environments of Visakhapatnam District, of which the family Papilionidae is represented by more than 10 species, Pieridae with more than 20 species, Nymphalidae with more than 30 species, Lycaenidae with more than 20 species, Riodinidae with 1 species and Hesperiidae with more than 10 species.[18] [19] Some species of male butterflies ex. crows n tigers show interesting mechanism called clustering. During monsoon months, males congregate around some species of plants like Crotalaria retusa, Heliotropium indicum to suck some alkaloides or sex pheromones which are essential for mating.[20] [21] [22] [4]

Cyclone Hudhud

In October 2014 Cyclone Hudhud caused extensive damage and loss of life in eastern India and Nepal. The entire park was severely damaged and almost became like a graveyard; almost all tree species were uprooted, fences destroyed, and the pond, greenhouse and cacti house collapsed.[23] [24] [25] The park was rejuvenated within a span of one year by student volunteers with government support.[9] [26]

Awards

The Dolphin Nature Conservation Society (DNCS) received two Andhra Pradesh Government state level awards for the development and maintenance of Biodiversity Park, Visakhapatnam.[13]

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. News: breathing new life. 19 May 2006. frontline. 22 April 2020.
  2. Web site: fascinating world of plant kingdom. Nivedita. Ganguly. 29 July 2017. www.thehindu.com.
  3. Web site: Biodiversity Park in city has rare species. 14 March 2016. www.thehindu.com.
  4. Web site: Causing a flutter in Vizag. Nivedita. Ganguly. 17 August 2018. www.thehindu.com.
  5. Web site: attracts students from all places. Nivedita. Ganguly. 9 March 2016. www.thehindu.com.
  6. Web site: Rare species of plants and trees impress them. Rani. Devalla. 30 January 2013. www.thehindu.com.
  7. Web site: The open air biology lab in Vizag. 12 January 2019.
  8. Web site: Krishna’s Butter Cup: Generation Y join hands to conserve biodiversity | Visakhapatnam News - Times of India. The Times of India.
  9. Web site: A step forward in spreading environmental awareness. Nivedita. Ganguly. 10 June 2014. www.thehindu.com.
  10. Web site: Sacred groves inaugurated at hospital | Visakhapatnam News - Times of India. The Times of India.
  11. Web site: A ‘sacred grove’ inaugurated at Biodiversity Park. Staff Reporter. 5 February 2017. www.thehindu.com.
  12. Web site: RCD hospital’s biodiversity park houses over 500 medicinal plants, 60 species of birds | Visakhapatnam News - Times of India. The Times of India.
  13. Web site: In the kingdom of plants. Nivedita. Ganguly. 18 July 2018. www.thehindu.com.
  14. Web site: ‘Living pebbles’ latest addition to Biodiversity Park. 4 October 2016. www.thehindu.com.
  15. Web site: From the Amazon forests. Nivedita. Ganguly. 21 October 2017. www.thehindu.com.
  16. Web site: plants that live on air. Nivedita. Ganguly. 16 February 2018. www.thehindu.com.
  17. Web site: Plants that feed on insects. Nivedita. Ganguly. 10 March 2016. www.thehindu.com.
  18. Web site: Girls discover 25 new species of butterflies. 17 September 2014. Deccan Chronicle.
  19. Web site: Bio-diversity Park attracts many butterflies. Ramesh. Susarla. 21 February 2011. www.thehindu.com.
  20. Web site: Butterflies are back again at Biodiversity Park. Nivedita. Ganguly. 31 August 2017. www.thehindu.com.
  21. Web site: Come monsoon, they create a flutter. Nivedita. Ganguly. 21 July 2014. www.thehindu.com.
  22. Rama Murty, M, A. Rohini, STPL. Ushasri, Ch. Girija Rani, P. Sharon, S.Pavani and U. Joshna Rani. 2013: Preliminary study on Butterfly Diversity in the Biodiversity Park of Rani Chandramati Devi Government Hospital, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Advances in Pollen Spore Research Vol. XXXI (2013): 151–159.
  23. Web site: Living lab laid waste. 20 October 2014. www.thehindu.com.
  24. Web site: Hudhud leaves Biodiversity Park ravaged in Vizag. 19 October 2014. Deccan Chronicle.
  25. Web site: Biodiversity Park set to get a facelift soon. Nivedita. Ganguly. 17 March 2016. www.thehindu.com.
  26. Web site: nature lovers plant rare saplings. The Hindu. 23 May 2020. 2014-06-06.

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