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Added some entry needs work

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{{Short description|Park in New Delhi, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox park
| type = Heritage Park, City Park
| coords_ref =
| area = {{convert|90|acre|km2}}
| location = [[New Delhi]]
| created = 16th century
| coordinates = {{coord|28.596874|77.245339|type:park_region:India|display=inline,title}},
| designer = *Mohammad Shaheer
*Aga Khan Trust for Culture
| owner = [[Government of India]]
| operator = *[[Aga Khan Trust for Culture]]
*[[Central Public Works Department]]
*[[Archaeological Survey of India]]
*[[South Delhi Municipal Corporation]]
| status = Open all days from sunrise to sunset
| website = www.sundernursery.org
| name = Sunder Nursery
| alt_name = Central Park of Delhi, Azim Bagh
| image = File:Sunder Nursery Sep-2019.jpg
| photo =
| photo_width =
| photo_caption = Sunderwala Burj and reflecting water canal
}}
'''Sunder Nursery''', formerly called '''Azim Bagh''' or '''Bagh-e-Azeem''', is a 16th-century heritage park complex adjacent to the [[Humayun's Tomb]], a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] in [[Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/a-walk-through-one-of-unescos-world-heritage-sites-delhis-sunder-nursery-286090|title=A walk through one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites: Delhi's Sunder Nursery|website=WION|language=en|access-date=2020-03-13}}</ref> Originally known as Azim Bagh and built by the Mughals in the 16th century, it lies on the Mughal-era [[Grand Trunk Road]], and is spread over 90 acres (36 hectare).<ref name="Datta">{{cite news |last1=Datta |first1=Rangan |title=Sunder Nursery in Delhi: An oasis in the heart of the capital jungle |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/sunder-nursery-in-delhi-an-oasis-in-the-heart-of-a-concrete-jungle/cid/1911060 |access-date=29 January 2023 |agency=The Telegraph |issue=My Kolkata |date=20 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.akdn.org/publication/humayuns-tomb-sunder-nursery-hazrat-nizamuddin-basti|title=Humayun's Tomb - Sunder Nursery - Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti {{!}} Aga Khan Development Network|website=www.akdn.org|language=en|access-date=2018-04-25}}</ref><ref name="hindustantimes.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/india-news/photos-sunder-nursery-near-humayun-s-tomb-opens-as-heritage-park/photo-cfPFjZ7mjxo6O6uWkFnCPO.html|title=Photos: Sunder Nursery near Humayun’s Tomb opens as heritage park|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2018-04-25}}</ref> Future plans aim to link nearby areas to develop it into India's largest park covering 900 acres.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/sunder-nursery-debuts-in-heritage-park-avatar/articleshow/63020940.cms|title=Sunder Nursery debuts in heritage park avatar - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-04-25}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/sunder-nursery-in-full-bloom/article22812630.ece|title=Sunder Nursery in full bloom|author=Staff Reporter|date=2018-02-21|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-04-25|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Today Sunder Nursery contains fifteen heritage monuments of which 6 are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI) protected Sundarwala Burj, Sundarwala Mahal and Lakkarwala Burj.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/10-years-on-sunder-nursery-to-debut-as-a-heritage-park/rich-in-flaura-and-fauna/slideshow/63012169.cms|title=10 years on, Sunder Nursery to debut as a heritage park - From nursery to heritage park|website=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-04-25}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.governancenow.com/views/interview/we-will-be-involving-community-volunteers-to-effectively-police-the-park|title="We will be involving community volunteers to effectively police the park" -Governance Now|date=2018-04-19|work=Governance Now|access-date=2018-04-25|language=en}}</ref>

After renovations starting in 2007, the nursery reopened to public as a heritage park on 21 February 2018. Now it contains over 300 types of trees, making it Delhi's first [[arboretum]].<ref name=":2"/>

During the [[British Raj]], the nursery was established to grow experimental plants; it also has a lake which gave it its current designation as a [[Nursery habitat|nursery]]. The Sunder Burj [[tomb]] lends the space the Sunder in Sunder Nursery.<ref>{{cite news |title= Aga Khan revives lost 16th century Mughal garden in heart of Delhi |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/10278947/Aga-Khan-revives-lost-16th-century-Mughal-garden-in-heart-of-Delhi.html |date=1 Sep 2013 |access-date= 2014-01-16 |newspaper= [[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Sunder Nursery blooms into a park |newspaper= Deccan Herald | url = http://www.deccanherald.com/content/302258/sunder-nursery-blooms-park.html |date=2 January 2013 |access-date= 2014-01-16 }}</ref> Although the name Sunder Nursery is still used locally, the park has been termed "Delhi's Central Park" after renovations (not to be confused with the Central Park in [[Connaught Place, New Delhi]]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/Jc1Xsm2NU2MWE8cuprwfcM/Delhis-own-central-park-opens-today.html|title=Delhi’s own ‘central park’ opens today|last=Sreevatsan|first=Ajai|date=2018-02-22|work=Livemint|access-date=2018-04-25}}</ref>

==Restoration==
[[File:Sunderwala Mahal, Sunder Nursery, New Delhi.jpg|thumb|Sunderwala Mahal after renovation in 2018]]
[[File:Lakharwal Gumbab in the Sunder Nursery Lawns.jpg|thumb|Lakharwala Gumbad]]
[[File:Arched Platform, Sunder Nursery.jpg|thumb|An arched Mughal platform]]
[[File:Sunder Nursery Mughal Garden Pavillion.jpg|thumb|Mughal garden pavilion]]
[[File:Inside Sunder Burj Sunder Nursery Dome.jpg|thumb|upright|The dome inside Sunder Burj]]

=== Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Project ===
Sunder Nursey is part of the larger Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Project master plan of the [[Aga Khan Development Network|Aga Khan Trust]], which involves restoration work on 30 nearby heritage structures.<ref name="tele" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/sunder-nursery-city-s-new-oasis/632296/0|title=Sunder Nursery, city’s new oasis|date=Jun 11, 2010|newspaper=Indian Express|access-date=2014-01-16}}</ref> Once complete, the park and resorted monuments will cover 900 acres (3.64 km sq).<ref name=":0" /> Since 2007 conservation of over 50 monuments have taken place of which 12 were designated [[World Heritage Site]]s by [[UNESCO]] in 2016.<ref name=":2" />

Future plans aim to run the area as a [[Public–private partnership|public-private partnership]] (PPP) between the various government authorities in India and the Aga Khan Trust.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://scroll.in/magazine/869920/sunder-nursery-gives-delhi-a-beautifully-restored-green-space-and-a-template-for-heritage|title=Sunder Nursery gives Delhi a beautifully restored green space – and a template for heritage|last=Venkataramakrishnan|first=Rohan|work=Scroll.in|access-date=2018-04-25|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Organisations and Agencies Involved ===
The garden complex is undergoing an extensive restoration project, undertaken by [[Aga Khan Trust for Culture]] India, jointly with [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI) and [[Central Public Works Department]] (CPWD) which currently runs the garden.

The following agencies are involved in this extensive restoration project:<ref name=":0" />

* [[Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]], Government of India
* [[Archaeological Survey of India]]
* [[Central Public Works Department]]
* [[South Delhi Municipal Corporation]]
* [[Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation|US Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation]]
* [[Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation]]

=== Restoration of Nursery ===
Plans for the project were drawn up in 2007, and work on the third phase was initiated in 2010 and completed in 2018, with 90 acres of the park being opened to the public on 21 February 2018. The [[Vice President of India|vice-president of India]], [[Venkaiah Naidu|M Venkaiah Naidu]], was present during the inauguration along with various other dignitaries including the [[Aga Khan IV|Aga Khan]] founder and chairman of the [[Aga Khan Development Network]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

Lying abandoned for decades, much of the area was overgrown, and during the initial work some 1,000 trucks of rubble was removed before the ground was levelled. Subsequently, classical [[Persian garden]]s were recreated, with fountains and water channels characteristic to this style of garden. Two main architectural features were restored; the Lakkarwala Burj tomb is now set in a new rose garden, whilst the 16th-century Sunderwala Burj tomb was restored as per the orange sandstone and white lime mortar used in its original design. Its red sandstone interior walls saw entire sections of white [[Quran]]ic verses being recreated.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ratish Nanda plans on creating huge new park in Delhi |publisher=CNN-IBN| url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ratish-nanda-plans-on-creating-huge-new-park-in-delhi/417281-3-244.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130826073027/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ratish-nanda-plans-on-creating-huge-new-park-in-delhi/417281-3-244.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 26, 2013 |date=August 26, 2013|access-date = 2014-01-16 }}</ref> The garden replicates the four micro-habitat zones which were part of Delhi's original landscape namely ''Kohi'' (ridge), ''[[Khadir and Bangar|Bangar]]'' ([[alluvial]]), ''[[Khadir and Bangar|Khadar]]'' ([[riverine]]) and ''Dabar'' ([[marsh]]).<ref name="tele">{{cite news| title = 16th-century lotus pond found in Sunder Nursery| url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-02/delhi/42614941_1_lotus-pond-sunderwala-burj-restoration-project| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140116193359/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-02/delhi/42614941_1_lotus-pond-sunderwala-burj-restoration-project| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2014-01-16| newspaper = [[The Times of India]]| access-date = 2014-01-16 }}</ref>

==Important Features==

=== Monuments ===
UNESCO World Heritage status has been given to the following six structures within Sunder Nursery: Sunder Burj, Sundarwala Mahal, Lakkarwala Burj, Mirza Muazzafar Hussain's Tomb, Chotta Bateshewala and the Unknown Mughal's Tomb.<ref name="Datta"/><ref name=":3" />

=== Wildlife ===

==== Flora ====
[[File:Canna Section Sunder Nursery.jpg|thumb|[[Canna (plant)|Canna Plant]] Section, Sunder Nursery]]
[[File:Protected Bonsai Houses Sunder Nursery.jpg|thumb|''[[Bonsai]]'' houses]]
The area contains over 280 native tree species. Using GIS 4200 trees have been mapped. Apart from this there are around 80 types of bird species and 36 types of butterflies. The Bonsai House is home to some [[bonsai]] over 80 years old.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="hindustantimes.com"/>

===== Trees =====
Sunder Nursery is Delhi's first [[arboretum]]. It is home to some rare trees such as a Pink Cedar ([[Acrocarpus fraxinifolius]]), the only one in Delhi. Various other trees in the nursery are also only found here and nowhere else in Delhi such as Chukka (Croton roxburghii) and Carrotwood ([[Cupaniopsis anacardioides]]).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/inventory-of-sundar-nursery-trees/234304|title=Inventory of Sundar Nursery Trees|work=Outlook India|access-date=2018-04-27}}</ref>

A partial listing of trees and plants found:

{{Div col|colwidth=30em|content=*Amrood, [[Psidium guajava]]
*Peelu, [[Salvadora persica]]
*Sonjna, [[Moringa oleifera]]
*Marodphali, [[Fernandoa adenophylla]]
*Chalta, [[Dillenia indica]]
*Badminton Ball Tree, [[Parkia biglobosa]]
*Kaim, [[Mitragyna parvifolia]]
*Tun, [[Toona ciliata]]
*Siala, [[Markhamia lutea]]
*Pinj, [[Firmiana colorata]]
*Adusa, [[Adhatoda vasica]]
*Goolar, [[Ficus racemosa]]
*Brazilian ironwood, [[Caesalpinia ferrea]]
*Whistling pine, [[Casuarina equisetifolia]]
*Colville's glory, [[Colvillea racemosa]]
*Shisham, [[Dalbergia sissoo]]}}
[[File:Mughal Lotus Pond Sunder Nursery.jpg|thumb|Mughal [[Nelumbo nucifera|Lotus]] Pond, Sunder Nursery]]

===== Roses =====
The rose gardens host various types of roses. A partial list of rose varieties:

[[Hybrid tea rose|'''HT Roses''']]{{Div col|colwidth=30em|content=*Michael LIS
*Tata Pink
*[[Rosa Iceberg|Iceberg]]
*Black Pearl
*[[Rosa 'Oklahoma'|Oklahoma]]
*Bajazoo
*Charleston
*Pristine
*Gold Media
*Broadway
*BP Pal
*Christian Dior
*Folklore}}'''Miniature Roses'''
* Don Don
* Merlin

==== Fauna ====

===== Birds =====
80 different species of birds have been located in the area through bird mapping. In 2014, the rare [[Ultramarine flycatcher|Ultramarine Flycatcher]] was spotted in the park area, a bird not seen in New Delhi for many years. 36 types of butterfly have also been spotted in the park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://annualreport2015.nizamuddinrenewal.org/annualreports-details/2015/79/bird-habitat-area.php|title=AKDN: AKDN|website=annualreport2015.nizamuddinrenewal.org|access-date=2018-04-25}}</ref> A partial listing of birds include:<ref>{{Citation|title=Birds at Sunder Nursery|date=2018-04-26|url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Birds_at_Sunder_Nursery.jpg|access-date=2018-04-27}}</ref>

{{Div col|colwidth=30em|content=*[[Asian pied starling|Asian Pied Starling]]
*[[Eurasian golden oriole|Eurasian Golden Oriole]]
*[[Coppersmith barbet|Coppersmith Barbet]]
*[[Eurasian collared dove|Eurasian Collared Dove]]
*[[Laughing dove|Laughing Dove]]
*[[Red-wattled lapwing|Red-wattled Lapwing]]
*[[Indian roller|Indian Roller]]
*[[Asian green bee-eater|Asian Green Bee-eater]]
*[[Long-tailed shrike]]
*[[Black drongo|Black Drongo]]
*[[Indian stone-curlew|Indian Stone-curlew]]
*[[Eastern cattle egret|Eastern Cattle Egret]]
*[[Scaly-breasted munia|Scaly-breasted Munia]]
*[[Red avadavat|Red Avadavat]]
*[[Indian pond heron|Indian Pond Heron]]
*[[Grey-headed canary-flycatcher|Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher]]
*[[Indian silverbill|Indian Silverbill]]
*[[Black-rumped flameback|Black-rumped Flameback]]
*[[Yellow-footed green pigeon|Yellow-footed Green Pigeon]]
*[[Rufous treepie|Rufous Treepie]]
*[[Shikra]]
*[[Spotted owlet|Spotted Owlet]]
*[[Common tailorbird|Common Tailorbird]]
*[[Plum-headed parakeet|Plum-headed Parakeet]]
*[[Ashy prinia|Ashy Prinia]]
*[[Oriental Magpie]]
*[[Red-breasted flycatcher|Red-breasted Flycatcher]]
*[[Black redstart|Black Redstart]]}}

===== Butterflies =====
A partial listing of butterfly varieties found:<ref>{{Citation|title=Butterflies at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi|date=2018-04-26|url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Butterlies_at_Sunder_Nursery.jpg|access-date=2018-04-27}}</ref>
{{Div col|colwidth=30em|content=*Yellow Pansy
*White Arab
*Tiny Grass Blue
*Indian Palm Bob
*Plain Tiger
*Pioneer
*Common Emigrant
*Blue Pansy
*Banded Awl
*Peacock Pansy
*[[Lemon pansy|Lemon Pansy]]
*Grass Yellow
*Common mime
*Common Gull
*Common Mormon}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Sunderwala Burj in the Sunder Nursery Gardens.JPG| Sunderwala Burj
File:Unknown Graves Sunder Nursery.jpg| Unknown Mughal graves
File:Artificial Lake Structure Sunder Nursery.jpg| Artificial Lake
File:Ampitheatre Sunder Nursery.jpg| Amphitheatre, with Sunder Burj visible in the background
File:Sunder Burj, Delhi.jpg| Sunder Burj, front view
File:Sunder Nursery Wide angle.jpg| Panoramic view in the daylight
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Lodi Gardens]]
* [[List of parks in Delhi]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Sunder Nursery}}
* {{cite web
| title = Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Project (Aga Khan Trust)| url = http://nizamuddinrenewal.org/humayuntomb/start.html#}}
* {{cite web | title = Delhi Gets Its Own Version Of Central Park And It Is Going To Be Bigger Than The One In Manhattan! | url = https://lbb.in/delhi/delhi-gets-its-own-central-2a3282 }}
* {{cite web | title = Sunder Nursery Rehabilitation | url = http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=15409
|publisher=ArchNet }}

{{Delhi landmarks}}
{{Delhi}}

[[Category:Gardens in India]]
[[Category:Aga Khan Trust for Culture projects]]
[[Category:16th-century establishments in India]]
[[Category:Parks in Delhi| ]]
[[Category:Monuments of National Importance in Delhi]]

Sunder Nursery - Revision history

MYRA: Added some entry needs work