Development of a water body for conservation of aquatic biodiversity in botanic garden of Indian Republic, Noida

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.