Aravali Safari Park Project

The Haryana government’s ambitious Aravali Safari Park project has generated significant buzz and controversy since it was first proposed. This project is envisioned to be the world’s largest safari park. However, its scale and location have raised concerns, leading to stiff opposition from environmentalists, conservationists, and even former forest officials.

What is the Aravali Safari Park Project?

• The Aravali Safari Park is proposed to cover a vast area of 3,858 hectares, spread across the southern districts of Gurugram and Nuh in Haryana. The park will include various facilities such as:
  • Animal enclosures and safaris
  • Guest houses, hotels, restaurants, and cafeterias
  • Auditoriums, open-air theatres, and children’s parks
  • Botanical gardens, aquariums, and cable cars
  • An animal hospital, and a tunnel walk with exhibits
• Of the total proposed area, 2,574 hectares are planned for development in 11 villages in Gurugram, and the remaining 1,284 hectares will cover seven villages in Nuh.
• While the government presents the project as a major tourism boost, the scale of the park and its location have sparked widespread concern.

Ecological Significance of the Aravalis:

The Aravalis are one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world, stretching across Rajasthan, Haryana, and parts of Delhi. This range is ecologically vital for several reasons:

• Combats Desertification: The Aravalis act as a natural barrier, preventing the spread of the Thar Desert toward the eastern regions of Rajasthan and Haryana.
• Water Recharge: The hills are a significant aquifer, recharging groundwater resources. The fractured and weathered rocks in the region allow rainwater to percolate and replenish water tables, which are crucial for the water-scarce districts of Gurugram and Nuh.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: The Aravali range is home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant species. These ecosystems are considered fragile, requiring protection from overdevelopment.

Environmental Concerns:

• Disturbance to Aquifers and Water Resources: The proposed safari park would increase footfall, vehicular traffic, and construction activity in the region. This could disrupt the delicate aquifer system under the Aravali hills, which are crucial for maintaining groundwater levels in the area.
• Impact on Forests and Biodiversity: The project is located in a region designated as “forest” land, which is protected under various environmental laws. These include the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 and the Punjab Land Preservation Act of 1900, which restrict non-agricultural use of the land to prevent deforestation. Additionally, the Aravalis play a critical role in maintaining the region’s biodiversity, and any large-scale development could lead to habitat destruction.
• Legal Protections for the Aravalis: Aravalis are designated as a Natural Conservation Zone under the Regional Plan-2021 for the National Capital Region (NCR), which limits construction activities in these areas to only 0.5%.
• Haryana’s Low Forest Cover: Haryana is one of the states with the lowest forest cover in India, at just 3.6%.