Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna is proposing to convert the 22-kilometre Yamuna riverbank stretch into a biodiversity zone, seen by experts as a radical ecological solution to the dying river.

The lieutenant-governor (L-G), also chairperson of the Yamuna Development Authority, has asked the Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE) to prepare an action plan to create a biodiversity zone on the 22,000-hectare Yamuna bank stretching from Wazirabad to Okhla.

A 154-hectare area (Golden Jubilee Park behind Rajghat) on the riverfront has already got approval to be converted into a biodiversity park.

While two meetings have been held on the issue of developing the riverfront into a biodiversity zone, CEMDE is expected to submit its action plan in the next meeting scheduled for July 9. Officials from CEMDE said the emphasis will be on creating wetland plant communities native to the Yamuna ecosystem and facilitating creation of natural underground reservoirs.

“The plan does not involve any change in land-use — the L-G is keen that the Yamuna floodplain area should be utilised in ecologically viable projects,” said Ranjan Mukherjee, Officer on Special Duty to the L-G. “The L-G is keen on developing the Yamuna front as a biodiversity zone as this will also lead to tremendous water recharge.

“This is also in keeping with the idea that there should be absolutely no concretisation on the flood plain.”

A scientist from CEMDE said, “We want to plant native vegetation and grasses endemic to the Yamuna ecosystem on the banks. These will also boost water retention and create a better sink and effective underground water reservoirs on the floodplain.”

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