Delhi photographer says his terrace garden has drawn 100 bird species

A bare Delhi terrace became Aman Sharma’s lockdown wildlife project, and it now holds more than 500 plants. Sharma, a wildlife photographer and birdwatcher, says he has observed more than 100 bird species and more than 25 butterfly varieties there.

He began planting during the COVID-19 lockdown, when he could not make his usual wildlife trips. Through experimentation, he added indigenous, flowering and fruit-bearing plants to the space.

For residents with less room, Sharma recommends starting with three kinds of plants: host plants, such as lemon, for butterflies; flowering plants including sadabahar and bougainvillea; and food-bearing plants such as chikoo, capsicum, pomegranate, brinjal and guava for birds.

“If you plant three types of plants, your home can also become an urban jungle,” he says.

Sharma says a few pots on a balcony or window can also offer food or breeding support for insects and birds. His suggested mix includes lemon, sadabahar, bougainvillea, chikoo, capsicum, pomegranate, brinjal and guava.