Conservation of biodiversity: 3-day survey under way

Gurgaon: The Haryana State Biodiversity Board (HSBB) along with the forest department and Indira Gandhi University, Rewari, is carrying out a three-day survey of the forest area in Rewari. The aim is to gather data on shrubs, grass and trees in the district. It also aims to analyse the data on butterflies and insects to understand the forest diversity.
Rewari was selected for the survey because it has Mangar Bani-like forest. The survey is being conducted in Khol, Bawana Gujjar and Rajgarh areas of Rewari district. More than 2,500 hectares of land will be covered in the survey. The outcome of the survey will help in chalking out management strategy for the conservation of biodiversity.
Khol comprises 10 villages having contiguous stretches of Aravalis such as Palra, Ahhrod, Bassduda, Khol, Manethi, Bhalki, Majra, Nandha, Balwari and Khaleta, covering an area of about 1,000 hectares. The survey will also form the basis for observing the impact of habitat disturbance and climate change on the ecology of the region.
“We have already completed surveys in Khol and Bawana Gujjar area and covered 7 kilometres. We aim to cover around 5 kilometres on Monday. We have samples of plant species and photographic documents of butterflies, beetles and other small insects. This is a study of the entire biodiversity. We are also conducting awareness camps with the locals about biodiversity conservation and people’s biodiversity register,” said Amrender Singh Rao, regional coordinator in Gurgaon, HSBB.
The field survey so far included sample collection strategies by using different wildlife census methods and different ways to document and identify local biodiversity. In this regard around 80 plant species of medicinal importance were identified and collected by the students for herbarium preparation with the help of experts.
“The survey aims to create awareness about the medicinal plants that are locally available and document the traditional knowledge. We will identify the existing threats or pressures to biodiversity and ecosystem,” said Rao.