Asola Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary is a beautiful biodiversity zone located in the southern district of Delhi near Karni Singh Shooting Range. The sanctuary is part of the Southern Ridge and holds great biodiversity significance due to its merger with Indo-Gangetic plains. It is also a vital part of the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor that starts from the Sariska National Park in Rajasthan, passing through various districts of Haryana and finally meeting at the Delhi Ridge. Moreover, it also acts as a carbon sink for the national capital region.
It is a perfect destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. The sanctuary is currently under Conservation Education Centre (CEC) Delhi. They are actively working on imparting conservation education to students and professionals through field-based educational programmes. I visited Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in September 2021 for the first time to attend a butterfly walk and was awe-struck by its untouched beauty.
Is it safe to visit Asola Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary?
The sanctuary shares its border with areas infamous for mugging and looting activities. The Butterfly Park and cycling trails are safe to visit. However, if you wish to explore the Neeli Jheel, travel in a larger group or request for a Govt assigned ranger to tag along.
Best time to visit the sanctuary
If you are visiting the sanctuary for birding, early morning is the best time to spot birds. Whereas, if you are visiting for butterflies, bees and dragonflies, noon is when you’ll get the maximum sighting.
How to reach, ticket and timing.
Tughlakhabad and Saket are the closest metro station. However, a cab or an auto is a must to reach the sanctuary from either of the stations. You can also travel by bus. The closest stop is Tughlakabad Fort, from there you can walk to the main gate. If you wish to visit the lake, I recommend getting your vehicle as the lake is 16kms from the entrance and hard to reach on foot.
Timing: 8 am to 5 pm
Entry Fee: ₹5 per person for Butterfly Park and its nearby areas, ₹500 per person for the lake
What all you can do at the sanctuary
Visit the Butterfly Park
Spread over 2.5 acres, the Butterfly Park is home to more than 60 species of butterflies, native trees, host plants and nectar plants. It is the first thing you see as you enter the sanctuary area. The park is an initiative by the government of Delhi to spread awareness about butterflies and help Delhi’s nature enthusiasts get closer to nature.
Explore the biodiversity on a bicycle
Neem Talav Cycle Track at Asola Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary is a newly added attraction. The 3 km long cycle track passing through lush Aravalli forests will make your journey pleasant and give you a great view of flora and fauna around.
Visit the nursery
There are a few nurseries within the sanctuary, where CEC conserves and grows native trees that they later plant around the city. The medicinal plants are bred at the Herbal Nursery, whereas native plants are at the Aravalli Nursery, great for spotting butterflies, bees and dragonfly species.
Explore Neeli Jheel
Neeli Jheel, a.k.a Blue lake, is one of the main attractions of Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary. A quarry lake, located 16 km away from Butterfly Park. The best way to reach the lake is by car. The trail is not well marked, and hence there are high chances of getting lost. Plus, the mobile network is weak. Therefore, GPS would not be helpful. The lake is humongous and pristine and can serve as a great picnic spot during winters.
Please Note: The lake is deep and is not ideal for swimming.
The sanctuary now has electric cars and guides to boost tourism that you can book online. It was announced during the inauguration of Wildlife Conservation Week in October 2021 by Delhi’s Environment Minister, Mr Gopal Rai. However, they are yet to launch the official site. I will add a link as soon as it’s out. Meanwhile, you can follow BNHS Delhi on Instagram for updates on the latest events and activities.
Additionally, here are some dos and don’ts to follow while visiting the sanctuary area. Following these will not only help you make the most of your time but also help nature thrive.
Dos
- Carry your water bottle, as you’ll feel dehydrated due to the dry surroundings.
- Apply sunscreen and mosquito repellent before entering the sanctuary area.
- Wear muted tones, preferably the colours of nature like khaki, forest green that camouflages well with the surroundings.
- Carry a hat or a cap to protect yourself from scorching heat.
- Wear comfortable shoes, preferably walking shoes, to help you traverse better.
- Carry a binocular or a telephoto lens for spotting the beautiful species around.
Don’ts
- Don’t speed while driving inside the protected area to avoid any roadkill. The ideal speed should be 10 km/hr. It will not only protect the wildlife around but also help you spot many species.
- Don’t litter as it would damage the surroundings as well as the inhabitants of the sanctuary.
- Don’t feed the animals as it might harm their digestive system and cause illness.
- Don’t swim in the lake as the depth is unknown and might be fatal.
- Don’t rescue any animal or reptile by yourself. In case you spot an injured animal, inform the forest workers immediately.
