A 9-km long cycle route was chosen to give an opportunity to the cyclists to cycle amidst the restored floodplains different from the urban greens and along Raj Ghat and other memorials of national importance.
New Delhi: Delhi Development Authority has organised a series of six events themed around ‘Rejuvenation of River Yamuna Floodplains’ that brought together people from different sections of the society including students from schools and colleges, NGO’s, nature enthusiasts, Yog-sadhaks and cyclists groups. DDA has organized Azadi Darshan – a sand art event cum workshop, Nature walk- along with spotting of flora and fauna with Delhi Bird Foundation, Jagrukta Abhiyaan- an awareness programme on role of biodiversity parks and impact of climate change, Swachhta Abhiyaan- a cleanliness drive at Qudsia Ghat, Yogabhyas – a yoga session for rejuvenation of body, mind and soul and Avartan Rally- cycling in and around the floodplains of River Yamuna.
The sixth and the concluding event ‘Avartan Rally’ hosted by DDA on Sunday participation by cyclists from V4A Cycling and Running Club, Riverside Running and Cycling Club, Cyclopaths, Let’s C cycling groups and DDA officers.
A 9-km long cycle route was chosen to give an opportunity to the cyclists to cycle amidst the restored floodplains different from the urban greens and along Raj Ghat and other memorials of national importance. The event turned out to be a great success as it saw a participation from 80-100 cyclists who enjoyed cycling on an off-road sites amongst natural surroundings. The site for cycling – ‘Asita West’ is one of the 10 projects of the Restoration and Rejuvenation Project by DDA and also the first ones to be taken up for restoration.
Located on the western bank, it derived its name from ‘Asita’ which is another name for River Yamuna in ancient texts and literature which also means ‘the start’. Prior to the restoration works, the site was being utilized for agriculture and other unauthorized activities. The floodplains were repossessed from the encroachers, existing depressions were restored and developed into catchment water-bodies that hold an approximate volume of 50,000 cubic metres of water and there are more that are in the process of being restored. Plantation drive to the floodplains has been planted all around the floodplains. A green buffer up to 300 metres wide along the river edge has been planted with grasses of riverine nature.
