DELHI EVOLUTION ALONG YAMUNA

Delhi is one of the most historic capitals in the world finding its
mention in the ancient epic Mahabharata.
Two natural features of the city – the Ridge and river Yamuna, has
made it a protected and favorite place for the rulers over ages.
The Ridge is recorded to be 2.4 billion years old – older than the
Himalayas and the Ganges.

FORMATION OF DELHI TRIANGLE BETWEEN YAMUNA

 NORTH DELHI
COLONIAL SETTLEMENT

WALLED CITY
EARLY COLONIAL SETTLEMENT CAME IN NORTH OF
THE WALLED CITY AND THEN EXPANDED.
THE IDEA OF THE NEW CITY WAS IMPOSED
THAT WAS GEOMETRICAL ORDER IN THE
CENTRE OF THE DELHI TRIANGLE

THE MASSIVE AFFORESTATION OF THE RIDGE

LAND COMPOSED OF
PREDOMINANT ROCKY TERRAIN
OF RIDGE AND THE RIVER
FLOOD PLAINS
EARLY SETTLEMENT EMERGED
AROUND THE WATER SOURCES
BETWEEN THE RIDGE AND THE
RIVER
FOREST WAS STARTED BY THE BRITISH IN THE 19TH
CENTURY.
WHEN DELHI BECAME THE CAPITAL CITY OF BRITISH
INDIA, THE NORTHERN RIDGE WAS DECLARED AS A
RESERVE FOREST.
DUE TO RAPID URBANIZATION, PRESSURE ON THE
LAND INCREASED AND DURING 1920-30, A MAJOR
PORTION OF THE RIDGE NEAR DELHI UNIVERSITY
WAS BLASTED TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE
RESIDENTIAL COLONIES.
 AFTER INDEPENDENCE IN 1947, WHICH
ALSO BROUGHT ABOUT PARTITION, THE
STRESS ON THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF
THE CITY INCREASED MANIFOLD.

THE REFUGEES WERE GIVEN LAND IN THE

CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PART OF THE
RIDGE.
WITH THE IN-MIGRATION INCREASING
WITH TIME, THE AREA OF THE FOREST
STARTED DIMINISHING. MEANWHILE, IN
1980, THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN
RIDGE WERE AGAIN DECLARED AS
EXPANSION OF CITY WITHIN
RESERVED FORESTS.
MOVEMEN CORRIDOR.
WATER STREAMS BECAME
CREATION OF RING ROAD IN DELHI
COMPONENT OF DRAINAGE SYS.
WAS DONE TO FACILITATE THE
WITHIN THE CITY
INTRACITY MOVEMNT WHICH ALSO
RESULTED IN LATER SETTLEMENTS
1947, PRESSURIZED PARTS OF THE CITY
ALONG THE RING ROAD. AND
BEYOND ITS IMMPERIAL ZONES AND
WAZIRABAD WAS ONE OF THEM.
THIS RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT LOSS
OF FLOOD PLAINS AND RAPID
URBANIZATION WITHIN THE CITY.
WAZIRABAD
Wazirabad near Wazirabad barrage is a village
in Delhi in the Nation Capital Region. It lies in
the Civil Lines subdivision of the North
Delhi district.

The village is located on the banks of

the Yamuna river and the main road through the
village is the Main Jagatpur Road.
Wazirabad has an old or antique bridge and
wonderful tomb of shah Alam
 TIME LINE OF WAZIRABAD ( HUMAN
SETTLEMENT)

AROUND 14BC FEROZ SHAH

TUGHLAQ STARTED TO BUILD IN
AND AROUND THE BANKS OF
YAMUNA AND CONSTRUCTED
SHAH ALAM TOMB

THE WAZIRABAD AREA GOT

WASHED AWAY DUE TO FLOODS IN
YAMUNA.

AROUND 1952, THE SETTLEMENT

STARTED TO LIVE NAR THE BANK OF
By 14th century, the Ridge forest was covered with thorny scrubs with YAMUNA AND IT AGAIN GOT
very little green cover. Emperor Feroze SUBMERGED DUE TO FLOOD IN
Tughlaq afforested the rocky southern part of the Ridge 1978
IN 1978, BECAUSE OF FLOOD THE
SETTLEMENT OR THE PEOPLE
WERE SHIFTED TO AREAS OF
MODEL TOWN AND NEAR BY

THE AREA OF WAZIRABAD

AGAIN SETTLED ITSELF AFTER 10-
20 YEARS OF FLOOD AND NOW
IT CONTINUES TO GROW AS A
SMALL URBAN VILLAGE IN DELHI
HOW WAZIRABAD FORMED
THE AREA OF WAZIRABAD LIES ALONG THE YAMUNA RIVER,
WHICH IS ONE OF THE PROMINENT REASON OF SETTLEMENT.

THE AREA WAS NOT CENTRALLY DEVELOPED BUT IT

DEVELOPED EVENTUALLY WITH TIME AND WITH THE
SURROUNDING AREA OF BURARI AND MODEL TOWN AND
MAJNU KA TILA.

AS PEOPLE MIGRATED MAJORLY FROM THE AREAS OF UP,

HARYANA AND BIHAR IN SEARCH OF EMPLOYEMENT.
2000 2010 Present
2019
BACKGROUND OF THE AREA
Jagatpur is a village named after late Chaudhary Jagat Singh of the
Gujjar community.
Jagatpur is one of the 122 villages of Delhi lying on the outskirts of
the city.
The Yamuna River isn't the periphery of this village and often causes
floods in the community.
There have been a number of recurrent floods in the history of this
community that has led to resettlement and rehabilitation of the
population.
The village is rural in its socio-cultural aspects
but because of its vicinity to NCT Delhi, it
resembles a semi-urban community.
One of the prominent features of the Gujjar
community is that they traditionally rear cattle.
Cattle rearing has been the backbone of the
village economy in the past. The village has
undergone many geographical, economic,
cultural and social changes.
Due to the increasing value of landholdings, the
people of Jagatpur have started abandoning
their traditional practice of cattle rearing in
favor of alternatives better suited to the fast
pace of economic growth.
However, there is still a very significant
population involved in cattle rearing, especially
relative to Delhi.
SHAH ALAM TOMB
SHAH ALAM’S TOMB

• During the Muslim reigns, the emperors,

queens and saints equally found their respect
among the citizens of the empire.
• Their lives were respected and prestigiously
held up after their death through their tombs. A
large number of culture-lovers go to Delhi every
year to explore the history of famous lives
through the tombs. Shah Alam’s Tomb in Delhi
is one such rendition of history.
• Shah Alam was a famous saint who rose to
prominence during the rule of Feroze Shah
Tughlaq in 14th century.
History says Shah Alam’s Tomb was
erected by Feroze Shah Tughlaq himself
after Shah Alam’s death.

This tomb is located at the crossing of

Outer Ring Road and Loni Road in the
locale of Wazirabad near the banks of
Yamuna River.

The site of the tomb may take you by

surprise initially as you stroll down
slightly ahead of Timarpur area and
spot some partially worn-out structures
of the medieval era. Besides the tomb
of Shah Alam, there is a mosque with
three domes.
ECOLOGY
S.NO INDEX

1 YEARLY WISE MORPHOLOGICAL MAP

2 ANALYSIS OF MORPHOLOGICAL MAP

3 YAMUNA BIO DIVERSITY PARK

4 FLORA AND FAUNA

5 CLIMATE

6 SOIL CONDITION

7 DRAINAGE

8 TOPOGRAPHY

9 WATER BODIES

10 OPEN SPACE SYSTEM

11 CONCLUSION
2000
2004
2012 2019
CONTOUR
MAP
 210
209 M
M

CONTOUR SECTION

PRESENT STREET SCENARIO

CONTOUR SECTION

PRESENT SCENARIO
 YAMUNA BIO DIVERSITY PARK
To rescue and restore the lost native biodiversity in regions
surrounding the River Yamuna,
several biodiversity park projects were set up by the local
government,
one of which is the Yamuna Biodiversity park. Set up in the
year 2002, on the banks of river Yamuna, near Wazirabad
village
the Yamuna Biodiversity Park was developed in two phases
in two different areas— on the inactive floodplains of the
river in Phase I and on the active floodplains in Phase II.
 FLORA AND FAUNA

VILAYATI KEEKAR was planted

by the british to beautify the
wastelands. it contains toxic
chemicals and is a massive
biological invasion by any alien Neem , babool , ashoka
species. trees in the street

ASHWAGANDA medicinal plants

Wild plants near the waste water

pipe line and in the dumping area

FICUS CARCIA
cools the environment in hot places, creating a fresh and pleasant habitat for Wild grass in garbage dumped
many animals area.

SPOT BILLED DUCK
Yamuna biodiversity park with abundant food and safe nesting
sites has become home for many birds. Over 196 species has
been recorded including resident and migratory bird species
and the most easily and frequently sighted one are Parakeets,
Bulbuls, Peafowls, Prinias, Munias and Shikra in terrestrial
communities.

The fauna are some migrated

birds , buffallow , cow , donkey
,pig and small insect like
GREY PURPLE HERONS dragonfly, grasshopper and
A total 35 species of birds some time people see snake.
make wetlands of ypb as
their permanent home and
reproduce

Ypb is only known wintering home for

RED CRESTED POCHARD a magnificent
bird migrate from siberia and central asia
stays 4 month in the park.
CLIMATE
• THE CLIMATE OF WAZIRABAD IS COMPOSITE CILMATE
• IN AIR MOISTURE IS PRESENT DUE TO NEAR BY YAMUNA RIVER AND
WATER TREATMENT PLANT.
TEMPERATURE AT DELHI (MONTHLY)

TEMPERATURE (HIGHEST AND LOWEST) TEMPERATURE (AVERAGE)

TEMPERATURE AT WAZIRABAD (MONTHLY)
HUMIDITY AT WAZIRABAD (MONTHLY)
AVERAGE RAINFALL AT DELHI (MONTHLY)

RAINFALL AT WAZIRABAD (MONTHLY)

WINDROSE DIAGRAM OF DELHI(ANNUALY)
WINDROSE DIAGRAM OF WAZIRABAD(ANNUALY)
WINDROSE DIAGRAM OF WAZIRABAD(SUMMER SEASON)
WINDROSE DIAGRAM OF WAZIRABAD(WINTER SEASON)
AMBIENT AIR SAMPLING LOCATIONS ON 10 KM TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP

A1 AND A2-WAZIRABAD ROAD

A3-GARHI MEHNDU VILLAGE
A4-GOPALPUR AND JAGATPUR
A5-BHAJANPURA
A6-YAMUNA VIHAR

(Source of Standards: G.S.R 826(E) dated 16th November 2009 of MoEF,

Laboratory engaged: M/s
Perfact Researchers Pvt.Ltd. (NABL Accredited))
AMBIENT AIR QUALITY
AMBIENT NOISE SAMPLING LOCATIONS ON 10 KM TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP

N1
N2

N3
N4
N5
N6
N7

N1 ,N2 AND N7-WAZIRABAD ROAD

N3-GARHI MEHNDU VILLAGE
N4-GOPALPUR AND JAGATPUR
N5-BHAJANPURA
N6-YAMUNA VIHAR

(Source of Standards: CPCB standards for Noise Pollution (Regulation & control) Rules,
Laboratory: M/s Perfact
Researchers Pvt. Ltd. (NABL Accredited)
 SOIL CONDITION
• The soil ranges from pure sand to stiff clays and including all combination of the two extreme litho units.
• The pure sand is called Bhur and clay is called Matiar.
• The mixture of sand and clay in equal proportion forms Dumat or loam, a good agriculture soil.
• The bad land patches (Kallor) which are ingested with Reh at places do not support any vegetation growth.
• Alluvial soils occurring in flood plain of rivers is called Kemp which yield good crops.
• Kankars invariably associated with clay and at times retards ground water movement.
SOIL SAMPLING LOCATIONS ON 10 KM TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP

S1-TIMARPUR
S2 –RAJIV NAGAR
S3-GARHI MENDU
S4-MAJNU KA TILA
S5-GOPALPUR AND JAGATPUR
VILLAGE
S6-BHAJANPURA
S7-NEHRU VIHAR
S8-YAMUNA VIHAR
S1- TIMARPUR MIN.LIMIT
WATER SAMPLING LOCATIONS ON 10 KM TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP

SW1-YAMUNA RIVER(UPSTREAM)
SW2 –YAMUNA RIVER(DOWNSTREAM)
SW3-YAMUNA CANAL
SW4-WAZIRABAD DRAIN
SW5-BHALSWA JHEEL

W1-WAZIRABAD ROAD
W2 –RAJIV NAGAR
W3-GARHI MENDU
W4-MAJNU KA TILA
W5-GOPALPUR AND JAGATPUR
VILLAGE (SOURCE OF STANDARDS: IS: 10500,
W6-BHAJANPURA LABORATORY: M/S PERFACT RESEARCHERS
PVT. LTD (NABL
W7-NEHRU VIHAR ACCREDITED)
W8-YAMUNA VIHAR
COMPARISION OF
WATER QUALITY ACCORDING IS:10500
AND WATER QUALITY OF WAZIRABAD
AND NEARBY AREAS
DRAINAGE

• There is no proper drainage for waste water .

• A small channel is moving which collect the waste water
• The breath of channel is not more than 2 feet
• The all waste water is mixed into Yamuna river
 the road level doesn’t match the area level , the area being the low lying area therefore
TOPOGRAPHY the connectivity from the houses to the main road is not very good , walking is the only
best option. Because firstly the lane width , 4 wheelers couldn’t enter or go back . the
way was mainly meant for pedestrians or e rickshaws . On second place its quite
problematic dragging the rickshaws 14-15 feets up or down everytime .

Difference b/w road level and

houses has some greenery on
the pitching
• they use those level difference as
waste water channel or basement
• Some non-developed area or green
field have water collection pit.
 WATER BODIES

YAMUNA RIVER

SHALLOW LAKE
The ecological diversity within the
wetland habitats sustain rich flora and The area along the river
fauna. The aquatic vegetation attracts a bank was a major attracting
wide range of birds and other benthic place for the people living
fauna and fishes nearby , people came there
to enjoy the soothing
environment near the water
body .
The length of the river in the National Capital Territory of Delhi
(NCT) of Delhi is 48 km with a total river bed of around 97 sq
km. Apart from being a major source of water for Delhi,
Different species of trees.
However there weren’t any proper seating or
arrangements by the government or any other
local authority , people themselves had done
few arrangements such as temporary seatings ,
and shope for the people and visitors

Shallow lake inside the Yamuna bio

diversity park.

People were doing fishing on the bank

of Yamuna river.

Deep lake inside the Yamuna bio

diversity park.

OPEN SPACE SYSTEM

Agricultural land
Barren land used as a dumping area.
 • The area adjacaent to the jagatpur divided by the
peripherial road is the private land which is being
maintained , cultivated , and landscaped by the owners .
• It was grass , and jowar grown on the outskirts .
• Wild grass was grown along the roads which was not
taken care of .

The area along the river bank was a major

attracting place for the people living nearby
, people came there to enjoy the soothing
environment near the water body

Even people thereselves carried

their own stuff of enjoyment and
endulgement
 Market is also the open
space for local people and
Open space is serve as the many activities are done on
place to store construction it.
waste material.

Streets are the only open

space which is used by the
people to interact with
others.

open space is filled with

garbage and waste water.
street edges serve for parking and celebration spaces
people gathering at the edges of the streets.
They don’t have any community park so streets is only the open space
for them.
The only small park in this area which
is used for functions
ALGAE FORMATION • How ever , open areas which were dumping
yards mainly , had self grown grasses and
weedicides .
• Left out water in such areas lead to algae all
over .
DEPTH TO WATER TABLE 2015

SOURCE:CENTRAL GROUND WATER BOARD

DEPTH TO WATER TABLE 1960 DEPTH TO WATER TABLE 2002

As we see the Central Ground Water Board Report ,water table depleted in many areas of Delhi but in Wazirabad water table lies between 2-5M.
 CONCLUSION
STATE OF THE PLACE BEFORE THE BIO-DIVERSITY PARK
A biodiversity Park serves three most important functions
besides enhancing the
quality of the urban environment:
1. Educational
2. Cultural
3. Conservational
The manifestation of the above functions can take the form of
the following among others:
It helps to connect the natural biodiversity to the city and
its people who have lost contact with it.
It provides new livelihoods to the local people.
Preserves rare, endemic and threatened species.
Serves as a living lab to study the processes and functions
of a functioning ecosystem.
Buffers the local weather
Serves as a sink for CO2 and urban air pollutants.