Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Delhi retains 3 million litres of rainwater and cuts flooding risk, study finds

A new study from the University of Delhi shows that the Aravalli Biodiversity Park, a restored forest on a former mining site, retains nearly three million litres of rainwater each year. The park covers 692 acres and holds about 202,000 trees. By slowing surface runoff and allowing more water to soak into the ground, it helps reduce urban flooding and recharges groundwater aquifers in a city that gets most of its rain during the monsoon months. Beyond water management, the park also improves air quality. Researchers estimate its trees remove around 127 tonnes of air pollutants annually, with an environmental value of nearly Rs 1.89 crore. The forest stores roughly 8,360 tonnes of carbon and absorbs another 1,236 tonnes each year. The study highlights how restored native forests can deliver measurable climate and resilience benefits in dense urban areas.