It is difficult for most of us to appreciate nature in the cities where we live. Natural ecosystems are often visualised as pristine landscapes, untouched by human agency. This perception drives us to seek nature in far-off places while underestimating the biodiversity around us.
Consequently, we become inattentive to the nature, even as it emerges through the cracks of city’s concrete. On one hand, we face urgent challenges like urban expansion and biodiversity loss. On the other, we neglect the nature around us. Therefore, it becomes significant to reconsider what we define as nature.
Emergence of vegetation in unattended land
The following Google satellite image shows 120 acres of land behind Terminal 3 of the Delhi airport. Once agricultural, the Delhi Development Authority acquired it from the people of Shahabad Muhammadpur village in the 1960s. It was allotted to the Ministry of Railways in 2008 for development as per Master Plan for Delhi, 2021. Since its transfer, it remained unattended for 56 years, with little development visible in the Google Earth images. Through this time, it served as a construction and demolition waste dump, welcoming floral and faunal species.
The top image in the following appears barren with little vegetation scattered within the red boundary. There is a gradual movement of vegetation towards north-west direction in the remaining two. Certain patches look like active construction sites with disturbed soil, building materials and partially constructed structures.
Figure 2: A series of Google Earth images highlighting a tract of (outlined in red), surrounded by airport runway and residential complexes. Over time, the images reveal shifts in the vegetation cover. Despite ongoing construction in the area there is notable increase in the growth of flora from first to third image. Bottom two images are from the month of January 2011 and 2025 respectively.
On August 21, 2024, Naveen Solanki (a local environmental activist) and I examined the site. The ecosystem supported both native and non-native tree species which seemed to be thriving together.
Also read: The Upside of Invasive Species
Prosopis juliflora and Leucaena leucocephala (invasives) were found be existing with native species, including Acacia nilotica, and Prosopis cineraria. The presence of Prosopis cineraria (khejri) was particularly surprising as it is rarely found growing naturally in Delhi.
A lush green urban forest with dense vegetation composed of mix of trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants. The foreground shows dense undergrowth and the background is dominated by trees. The middle ground in the frame features an open patch with varying elevations and depression. Photo: Nirjesh Gautam
A Verditer flycatcher perched among leaves. Photo: Nirjesh Gautam
A jet descending over the canopy of the Dwarka forest. Photo: Nirjesh Gautam
Besides, the forest supports 65 bird species and at least 10 individuals of Boselaphus tragocamelus (nilgai). The site also features grassland, a small waterbody, and dense woodland of native-exotic species – an exemplary feat of nature right on the periphery of a busy airport and residential settlements.
Disputed land
It must be challenging for a patch of land to retain its character and influence in human dominated areas. The metamorphosis of this self-made ecosystem into a world-class station infrastructure is mandated. Work started as early as 2016; however, illegal tree felling became noticeable in August 2021. Complaints by nearby residents led to a Rs 6-crore fine in July 2022 for illegal tree felling. This was the lesson for Railways to navigate environmental frameworks effectively. National Green Tribunal (NGT) later dismissed a challenge by R. M.Asif, citing that the adequate precautions had been taken.
And moreover, the freshly amended Forest Conservation Act then excluded the concept of “deemed forest” provisions. Agitated by the burial of this ecosystem, Naveen Solanki and Ajay Joshi took the Rail Land Development Authority to the Supreme Court. Although it has given interim relief, the case is still pending in the court. However, the site continues to be levelled as planned.
A Prosopis cineraria tree buried under soil . The tree has deep cultural significance, dating back to the Vedic period – central to the Khejarli Massacre, which later inspired the Chipko Movement. Photo: Nirjesh Gautam.
It is really hard to determine whether Dwarka Forest meets the dictionary meaning of forest. Besides, the qualification of 100 trees/ 2.5 acres depends on the methodology used to estimate tree density. Additionally, the choice of survey report (whether from the petitioner or the respondent) crucially influences the court’s order.
Scientific temper
Ecologically, Dwarka Forest qualifies as a novel ecosystem, an interactive system of biotic, abiotic and social components – an outcome of intentional and unintentional alteration by human beings but with a tendency of self-sustenance. They are different as they have different floral and faunal composition that is expected of a native geography. Besides providing ecosystem functions and services they might be potential habitat for endangered plants and animals. Novel ecosystems can be legitimate targets for environmental management, as they are likely to be persistent and resilient.
On the other hand, presence of invasive species is a usual scapegoat when disputed lands are involved. Under the pretext of their presence, ecosystems like such are given away without valuing their biodiversity and potential for restoration. No wonder, forest fragments in the South Delhi Ridge have extensive presence of invasives. However, if these ecosystems are cemented, restoration may not be possible later.
It’s time that we embrace novel approaches to the conservation of nature in urban areas. Our policies should reflect the reality of urban landscapes in the background of climate change.
Nirjesh Gautam is a researcher at the Centre for Urban Ecology and Sustainability at Ambedkar University Delhi.
