ISSN : 2663-2187

Okhla Bird Sanctuary: A Haven for Biodiversity Amidst Urban Chaos

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Madhu Lataa, Poornima Sharmaa, Sandeep Chauhanb, Sanghmitrac, Anand Mohand and Barathan Balaji Prasath
ยป doi: 10.33472/AFJBS.6.13.2024.1662-1679

Abstract

Okhla Bird Sanctuary is the freshwater man-modified water body behind the barrage on the Yamuna River in Kalindikunj. As the river carries a high load of pollutants from the upstream area, the river pauses its speed due to the barrage, and the water gets time for its improvement by hydrological cycles in various seasons. This conserved land is surrounded by lush green vegetation around the water body, making it a migratory bird's preferred habitat, especially in winter. A floral and limnological survey of Okhla Bird Sanctuary was conducted on three sites (S1, S2, and S3) from April 2023 to December 2023. Randsurveysdratic sampling was conducted using a random survey of macroflora. The quadrate data are gathered and analyzed through computing for percentage of Frequency, Density and Abondance, Relative Frequency, Relative Density, Relative Abundance, and Important Value Index (IVI) for all the recorded plant species. Dominant aquatic plant species were found based on IVI values. Among the dominant macrophytes, Eichhornia crassipes showed the maximum IVI (56.06.) In two seasons (summer and monsoon) in open water in S -3 and Alternanthera philoxeroides in S-2 and in S-1 semi terrestrial area having highest dominancy Typha angustifolia with IVI value (52.75) followed by Phragmites karka (48.86). It was observed that the water of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary remains slightly alkaline throughout the season with the maximum ph. Recorded 7.49 of DO level was found within the permissible limit and all nutrients with fluctuating rates. All the parameters were analyzed using the IS method 2023. Detailed studies of physicochemical parameters show that Okhla Bird Sanctuary is moderately to highly polluted, resulting in low oxygen and the growth of invasive weeds replacing the native flora of the area.

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