Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary
The urbanization of the areas surrounding Delhi though imminent has brought with it destruction of the finely balanced eco-systems and the wild life. There are now very few pockets where there is a semblance of a forest and wildlife in Delhi. Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is one of these few places. Here in an area covering about 6800 acres (2782 Hectares) is a wildlife sanctuary that aims to protect whatever wildlife and flora that the place still has. It is a green lung that allows the increasingly polluted city a chance to breathe. It also allows the flora and fauna there to grow and multiply in peace and security.
Location
Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is located at the southern most end of Delhi. It is on the Southern Ridge, which is part of the Aravalli Range that traverses Rajasthan and pass through Delhi to meet the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It is called the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary because of its proximity to Asola and Bhatti Villages. The Sanctuary is made up of notified land from the villages of Asola, Shahpur, Maidangarhi and Bhatti. Being on the south most area of Delhi, the outer edges of the sanctuary touch the Haryana districts of Faridabad and Gurgaon. It was notified as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1991.
Address: Surajkund Road, New Delhi-44
Nearest Metro Station: Badarpur
Area of Delhi: South Delhi
Value
Urbanization disrupts the fine balance of bio-systems in a natural environment even when it is planned as in the case of Delhi. However, the rural areas surrounding Delhi did not develop in a planned way resulting in indiscriminate felling of trees, illegal mining, poaching and dwindling of wildlife due to lack of habitat.
In the light of the above, the value of a wildlife sanctuary in the city is very high.
- As it is located on the Delhi Ridge which is part of the Aravalli Range, one of the oldest mountain systems of the world, it represents a unique biodiversity that is now being protected.
- It acts as a much needed green lung to the overcrowded and highly polluted city of Delhi and also acts as a carbon sink.
- It offers an opportunity to study the native habitat of wildlife and the flora thereby making it possible to establish strategies to restore the dwindling flora and fauna of the Delhi Ridge.
- The lakes formed by the excavations of the Bhatti mines have the potential to recharge ground water levels in South Delhi.
- The restoration of flora is helping to shield against the encroaching aridity and desert storms.
Attractions
The Conservation Education Centre or CEC located in the Forest Department Building in the Sanctuary is the focus of attention for tourists and conservationists, environmentalist, students etc., as they can get complete and comprehensive information regarding the flora and fauna of the region, problems in conservation and steps to conserve the environment. The CEC is run by the Forest Department along with Bombay Natural History Society and the Government of Delhi.
CEC conducts “The Nature Trail” which is a walk in the jungle surrounding the office building. It attracts many visitors since one gets to know many interesting facts about nature and natural habitat of local wildlife. The 2 kms or 1.2 mile trail gives first hand information about the flora, fauna and topography of the sanctuary. CEC also conducts film and slide shows that are highly informative and interesting. These also attract many viewers.
More than 193 species of birds have been identified in the sanctuary and there are reports of more and more migratory birds visiting mainly due to the many lakes that have been formed in the pits of the Bhatti mines. Due to these lakes wetland habitat is being developed and flora is regenerating. Floral species are also on the rise with many kinds of medicinal herbs and plants being identified. There are thickets of Anogeissus, Balanite and Riparian buffer areas growing and pushing the advancing desert back. There are also 80 different species of butterflies, and hundreds of reptiles and insects.
Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary shelters animals such as Blue Bull locally called Nilgai which is the largest antelope in India, Black buck which is the fastest land animal surviving in the wild in India , Blacknaped Hare, Porcupine, Civet, Jackal, Jungle Cat and many more.
The film shows and slide shows conducted by the CEC are of a class of their own.
Best time to Visit
- Best Time to Visit: October to April
- Opening Time: 7 AM Onwards
- Entrance Charges: Free
- Time Required: 1-3 Hrs
How to Reach
It is possible to reach the sanctuary from Tughlakabad, Mehrauli or Suraj Kund or even from Sanjay Colony near Bhatti village. It is situated at a distance of 25 Kms or 16 miles from Indira Gandhi Airport, 30 Kms or 19 miles from New Delhi Railway Station and 32 Kms or 20 miles from Maharana Pratap Bus Terminus at Kashmeri Gate.
Tughlakabad Railway Station, a minor station is only 5.5 kilometers away from Asola Wildlife Sanctuary. It is possible to get a taxi or rickshaw to the sanctuary.
Where to Stay
Nearest Luxury Hotels
There are many Luxury Hotels that are within 5 to 6 kms from the Sanctuary. Some of them are:
- Suryaa Hotel, Maharani Bagh is about 9 kms
- Svelte Hotel & Personal Suites is 6 kms
- Sheraton New Delhi is also about 6 kms
- Hyatt Regency Delhi is about 21 Kms
Nearest Value for Money Hotels
There are some very good “Value for Money” Hotels nearby
- The Atrium in South Delhi is only 3.1 km
- Hotel Express Sarovar Portico, Suraj kund is only 3.7 kms from
- Bulbul Hotel and Banquets is only 5.1 kms
Nearest Budget Hotels
Following are some budget hotels nearby
- Hotel Royal Castle is 5.8 kms
- Bawa Home-home stay is 5.6 kms
- Hotel Chalet is 6.0 km
Information for Tourists
What to Wear
It is recommended that you wear earthy colours such as greens and browns so as to merge with the terrain and not disturb and alarm the wildlife. As the summer months are very hot and dry, you must keep yourself well hydrated and wear a protective cap with sunshade to cover your head. In winter it can be very cold and warm clothes are recommended.
Things to Carry
There are no fancy restaurants or cafes in the sanctuary except for a few roadside stalls outside the sanctuary limits. Hence you will need to carry your water, binoculars to view birds and animals in their natural habitat and camera batteries etc.
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