IBLA 2023 19th Edition: Vijay Dhasmana earns Jury recognition for Climate Consciousness

Vijay Dhasmana, a name synonymous with ecological restoration and conservation, has been rightfully recognised at CNBC-TV18’s India Business Leader Awards (IBLA) 19th edition with a Jury Recognition to Climate Consciousness.

Since 2007, Dhasmana has dedicated himself to the monumental task of restoring degraded landscapes, primarily focusing on the regions surrounding Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.

One of his most notable projects is the transformation of a 380-acre mining site in Gurugram into the Aravalli Biodiversity Park. This initiative, a part of the 'iamgurgaon' NGO's efforts, showcases his expertise in ecological restoration.

Under his leadership, the Aravalli Biodiversity Park has flourished, now home to over 300 species of plants, many reintroduced to Haryana, and a sanctuary for 195 species of birds and animals. In 2022, this park was declared India's first Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECM) site by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), marking a significant achievement in conservation efforts.

Dhasmana's contributions extend beyond a single project. Since 2021, he and his team have been overseeing the Aravali Nagar Van project, a collaboration between iamgurgaon and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), involving the ecological restoration of 180 acres. Additionally, since 2019, he has been directing the restoration of Sikanderpur Forests, an 80-acre site in Gurugram.

In 2020, Dhasmana took on the ambitious project of creating the Badshapur Forest Corridor in Gurugram. This project aims to transform a 5-kilometer-long linear drainage channel into forest land, further cementing his commitment to ecological conservation. More recently, since March 2022, he and his team have embarked on rewilding 36 acres of agricultural land into forest in Uttarakhand’s Rajaji Tiger Reserve.

Vijay Dhasmana's roles are not limited to on-ground projects. He serves as a member of the State Biodiversity Council, Delhi, an 'expert member' of the Supreme Court Oversight Committee for the Development of Delhi-Dehradun Road, and a member of the Rajasthan State Biodiversity Board Committee on Heritage Trees.

For the past 15 years, Dhasmana’s unwavering focus on landscapes around the Aravalli range and the Thar desert has not only garnered national recognition but also significantly contributed to the preservation and enhancement of India's natural heritage. His commitment to ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation is a beacon of hope and inspiration in the fight against environmental degradation.