Park, Gurugram
Aravalli Biodiversity Park
Scrub forest and dirt trails on land that used to be mined. Go early, before the heat sets in and the weekend crowd arrives.
What it is
The park opened on World Environment Day in 2010 on an old mining site in the Aravallis, off MG Road. It covers about 380 acres of native trees, shrubs and grasses, replanted to bring back the original Aravalli scrub, and a web of trails runs through it.
Birders know it well. Around 185 species have been recorded here, and nilgai, jackals and monitor lizards turn up now and then. It was the first site in India to be recognised by the IUCN as an OECM, a protected area outside the formal parks system.
Getting there
Guru Dronacharya on the Yellow Line is the nearest metro station. From there it is a short auto ride or a longer walk along MG Road. Most visitors drive and park near the entrance, which gets busy on weekend mornings.
When to go
Early morning is best in every season. In summer the trails get very hot by mid-morning and some stretches have little shade. Winter mornings are pleasant, and the park looks greenest just after the monsoon.
Good to know
Entry is free. Carry water and wear proper shoes, because the trails are rough and uneven. There is a native plant nursery inside where you can buy saplings. Stay on the marked paths and carry your rubbish out.
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