Gurugram and its surrounding regions feature critical patches of green cover and forest ecosystems, primarily anchored by the ancient Aravalli hill range. Key natural areas, biodiversity parks, and forest trails in and around the city include the Aravali Biodiversity Park, Mangar Bani, and Sultanpur National Park
Major Forests and Nature Reserves
- Aravali Biodiversity Park: A restored 390-acre (approx. 153.7 hectares) urban forest area in DLF Phase 3, featuring native trees, walking tracks, and rich birdlife.https://www.alltrails.com/india/haryana/gurgaon–2/forest
- Dense sacred groves and natural forest patches sitting on the Southern Delhi Ridge along the Gurgaon-Faridabad road, acting as vital wildlife corridors and local habitats. [1, 2]
- Sikanderpur Forest Trails and Watershed –https://www.iamgurgaon.org/case-study/sikanderpur-forest-trails-and-watershed
- Sultanpur National Park: A protected wetland and eco-system spanning over 350 acres, famous for hosting hundreds of resident and migratory bird species.- https://haryanaforest.gov.in/places-centres/sultanpur-national-park-district-gurgaon/
- A popular rugged trail running alongside the forested Aravalli foothills known for cycling, hiking, and occasional wildlife sightings. [1, 2, 3, 4] https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attractions-g297615-Activities-c57-Gurugram_Gurgaon_Gurgaon_District_Haryana.html
- Bhondsi Nature Park spread over 558 acre located in Sohna Tehsil.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ias0jCuEb4A
- Damdama Biodiversity Park – In February 2021, Haryana government initiated the 5-year development plan to convert 420 acre land on the slope of aravali mountain, including a 5-acre plant nursery, between Damdama and Kherla in the north as the biodiversity park by Gurujal, an NGO called Centre for Biological Development and Research and the Kherla panchayat. The team has collected the data about the flora and fauna of the area as well as the wild seeds from the forested areas of aravalli hills to grow in the nursery for the propagation of the diverse range of native plants. In 2021 the Chief Minister had declared Gurugram as the “forest cover area” under which four forested biodiversity areas will be created at Damdama, Shikohpur, Naurangpur and Kasan, which will also boost the tourism – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damdama_Lake
