Abstract :
As per Article 9 of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Botanic Garden of Indian
Republic (BGIR), NOIDA was established to conserve endemic and threatened plants of different
habitats of the country under ex-situ conservation. Hence, an attempt is made to develop a prototype
water body in sandy soil without using civil construction materials for biogenesis of aquatic flora and
fauna and to conserve aquatic plants. To prevent water percolation, a thick layer of leftover bentonite
wastes and a semi-permeable membrane was laid. Further, to overcome the adverse effects and to
boost biogenesis, water was reclaimed by addition of fresh raw dung and organic compost in
requisite proportion. As a result, microbial growth/film on the bottom of the water body, planktons
and other biota were generated by its own. Furthermore, 5 species of Nymphaea, and 1 each species
of Nelumbo and Victoria were introduced. Under micro and macroscopic observations, different
planktonic forms of flora and fauna were recorded and attracted avian fauna and other terrestrial
creatures for feeding and drinking purposes. Besides, Ceratophyllum demersum, Hydrilla
verticillata, Potamogeton crispus and Potamogeton nodosus also occurred naturally. Thus, the aim of
developing a water body for conservation of aquatic biodiversity in BGIR is achieved.
Keyword :
Bentonite waste, Biodiversity, Ex-situ conservation, Fauna, Flora, Reclamation.