Key Points
A seed bank, which collects and stores seeds of species of plants that are native to the Aravallis, is gradually taking shape at a nursery at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, after a few years of efforts at collecting seeds from across the city and other states...
The project, being implemented jointly by the Forest Department and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), began in 2015 with the purpose of providing saplings that are native to the city and bringing back species that are now difficult to find in the city with some having lost out to invasive species like the vilayati kikar which have taken over the Ridge...
Among the additions to the seed bank are seeds of trees like salai (Boswellia serrata) and phalsa (Grewia asiatica) species that are difficult to find in Delhi, said a source associated with the project, who did not want to be named..
While the nursery itself is growing more than 100 species of native grasses, plants and trees, the seed bank has been developed now..
Species that are specific to the Aravallis are identified by studying model sites that have intact forests with very little disturbance, like Mangar Bani in Faridabad..
