Aishwarya Rishitha Nagireddy

UR3005

Thresholds Of The Wild

Tucked between Gandhinagar’s Indroda Nature Park and Aranya Udhyaan lies the untamed expanse of the Sant Sarovar Dam site—a landscape steeped in raw wilderness yet isolated by neglect. This forgotten terrain, plagued by illicit activities and minimal public engagement, holds the potential to transform into something extraordinary. The Forest Park project seeks to restore this space, crafting a sanctuary where humans and wildlife coexist in delicate balance. Rather than suppressing the site’s natural dynamics, the design embraces them. Erosion and seasonal flooding inspire adaptive interventions, such as stabilizing slopes and creating flood-resilient wetlands. Grazing paths remain integral, blending seamlessly with the landscape’s rhythms. Anchored floating wetlands and restored forest patches nurture biodiversity, offering vital refuges for birds, insects, and mammals. Each tree and plant serves a purpose, fostering ecosystems while stabilizing the land. The park invites people to rediscover their connection to wilderness. Winding pathways lead to shaded foraging gardens, inviting exploration and interaction with native plants. Elevated pavilions offer moments of pause and reflection, framing the raw beauty of the landscape. Yet, some areas remain sacred, deliberately untouched to protect fragile ecosystems. Here, boundaries are subtle and respectful, signaling preservation without imposing barriers. The design fosters a symbiotic relationship between community and wilderness. By celebrating the land’s natural processes and offering spaces for education, recreation, and reflection, the Forest Park becomes more than a project—it becomes a living testament to coexistence. It rekindles the bond between humans and nature, transforming isolation into stewardship. Through thoughtful design, the park envisions a thriving landscape, where life in all its forms flourishes together, ensuring that this sanctuary remains a haven for both people and wildlife,

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The site is located near the Sant Sarovar Dam, strategically positioned between Indroda Nature Park and Aranya Udhyaan in Gandhinagar. These two ecological landmarks, though significant, exist in isolation, leaving the intermediate area underutilized and vulnerable to illicit activities. The site features raw wilderness, with a mix of riparian zones, slopes, and dry landscapes, yet lacks structured public access and active engagement.

Seasonal dynamics such as flooding from the dam, grazing by local wildlife, and natural erosion shape the character of this environment, making it an ever-changing and dynamic ecosystem. However, this lack of intervention also highlights the area’s untapped potential as a space for biodiversity conservation and community interaction.

These diagrams illustrate the core objectives and strategies underpinning the creation of a vibrant forest park. Weave highlights the integration of ecological and cultural networks, fostering connections between habitats and communities. Nurture focuses on restoring biodiversity and supporting the growth of native species to create a thriving ecosystem. Inhabit envisions harmonious coexistence, where humans and wildlife find shared spaces for sustenance, recreation, and sanctuary. Together, they form a vision of a resilient and dynamic forest park.

The design development diagrams showcase the journey of transforming ideas into a cohesive forest park. Each phase reflects the layering of ecological sensitivity, spatial relationships, and functional intent. From weaving natural systems to nurturing biodiversity and crafting spaces for inhabitation, these iterations embody a balance between ecological restoration and human engagement, culminating in a harmonious landscape narrative.

The masterplan unfolds a story of connection, where 60% of the site is embraced by forested edges, inviting nature to thrive. Roads weave gently through 25% of the landscape, guiding movement while preserving tranquility. Social spaces, nestled within 15% of the design, offer moments for humans to gather and engage, fostering harmony between community and the wilderness.

The typologies of forests within the park highlight a strategic blend of ecological functions and human interactions. From productive silvopastures and foraging forests to slope-stabilizing woodlands and riparian buffers, each forest type is carefully curated to serve as a biodiversity haven, enhance ecosystem services, and foster a harmonious relationship between humans and the natural world. Together, they create a resilient and multifunctional landscape.

The part plans depict a series of thoughtfully designed social spaces seamlessly woven into the fabric of the forest park, each tailored to foster interaction and connection with nature. Sections of the Forest Park: A Sequential Exploration of Immersive Experiences from JH-Road to Sant Sarovar Dam capturing the evolving spatial and sensory experiences, revealing how the park unfolds as visitors move deeper into its varied ecosystems

The storyboard captures the essence of the forest park through curated experiences that unfold across its diverse landscapes. From immersive wildlife encounters and serene riparian walks to dynamic community spaces and moments of solitude within nature, each frame narrates a seamless blend of ecological vitality and human connection, inviting visitors to discover, engage, and cherish the wilderness.

Through the dense forested edge, the ruins rise amid greenery, opening to panoramic views that reveal the site’s natural and historical value.

Bridges traverse the steep slopes, forming thresholds that punctuate the journey with deliberate pauses. Along the wetland's edge, a bamboo trail articulates the path, immersing walkers in a dynamic interplay of texture and light.