What is the Aravalli forest Safari project?

The Haryana government’s proposed Aravalli Forest Safari Project is a 10,000-acre wildlife safari initiative in Gurugram and Nuh districts. Touted as the largest jungle safari park outside Africa, it aims to promote eco-tourism, generate employment, and conserve biodiversity. Inspired by the UAE’s Sharjah Safari Park, the project, unveiled in 2022 by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, intends to boost Haryana’s tourism and wildlife conservation efforts. Covering 18 villages, the safari park is expected to create local jobs in construction, security, and tourism management while providing rural homeowners income opportunities through the Homestay Policy.

Aravalli Safari project overview

The park will feature attractions like bird parks, big cat enclosures, herbivore zones, and botanical gardens. However, these plans have drawn criticism for focusing on exotic species and zoo-like exhibits rather than conserving the region’s ecosystem. Environmentalists argue this approach risks overshadowing efforts to rehabilitate native species adapted to the Aravalli’s arid conditions.

The Aravalli range, a biodiversity hotspot, is home to over 180 bird species, 15 mammals, 29 aquatic species, and 57 butterflies. Critics warn that the project’s large-scale construction could fragment habitats, degrade ecosystems, and threaten native species.

Additionally, features like an underwater world and tropical aquariums are deemed unsustainable in water-scarce Haryana, where groundwater levels are declining. Increased footfall and tourism infrastructure, including hotels and parking lots, could generate significant waste and pollution, exacerbating ecological challenges.

Environmental activists Vaishali Rana, Vivek Kambhoj, and Roma Jaswal filed a petition in the Supreme Court in 2023, challenging the project’s legality and environmental impact. Represented by lawyer Gaurav Kumar Bansal, they raised concerns about potential violations of forest conservation laws and risks to the Aravalli ecosystem. The court has sought clarifications from the Haryana government, and its decision will significantly influence the project’s future.

Meanwhile, the Union Environment Ministry’s 2023 amendment to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, allowed zoo development as a permissible ‘forest activity.’ However, the Supreme Court’s February ruling overturned some changes, requiring prior approval for setting up zoo-safari projects in forested areas. The activists’ plea against the Aravalli project remains pending.

Aravalli Safari: Eco-tourism controversy

A major criticism of eco-tourism projects is their impact on indigenous communities. Large-scale tourism infrastructure often evicts local populations without adequate compensation or support.

The project underscores the eco-tourism debate. While eco-tourism is promoted as a sustainable alternative to traditional tourism, critics argue it often prioritizes economic gains over environmental integrity. Large-scale initiatives like the Aravalli Safari Park risk turning pristine natural areas into tourist hubs, eroding their ecological value.

Close human-animal interaction could have unintended consequences, such as disease transmission from humans to wildlife. Experts warn that even mild illnesses like colds can be fatal to certain species. Projects requiring significant land use changes often displace indigenous communities, disrupt traditional lifestyles, and create long-term socio-economic harm.

The Haryana government has emphasized the project’s potential to conserve the Aravalli range’s biodiversity while providing livelihood opportunities for local communities. The government estimates significant job creation in construction, security, and hospitality. The Homestay Policy is expected to ensure equitable distribution of eco-tourism benefits while attracting domestic and international visitors.

Balancing dev and conservation

Despite its ambitious goals, the project faces criticism for emphasizing non-native wildlife and artificial habitats, which some argue deviate from conservation principles. Environmentalists question its alignment with sustainability, particularly regarding water-intensive features like tropical aquariums. These concerns highlight the challenge of balancing development with ecological preservation.

Transparency and accountability are essential in addressing environmentalists’ concerns. Experts stress the need for sustainable resource use, native biodiversity conservation, and community involvement to ensure the project aligns with its stated goals of economic upliftment and environmental stewardship. As the Supreme Court deliberates, the Aravalli Forest Safari Project’s future remains uncertain.

While the Haryana government hasn’t announced displacement plans, activists fear the safari park’s development could marginalize local communities, forcing them to adapt to new socio-economic realities prioritizing tourism over their traditional lifestyles.

As the Supreme Court deliberates on the project’s legality and environmental impact, the future of the Aravalli Forest Safari Project hangs in the balance. Experts argue it must balance development and conservation, prioritizing native biodiversity, ensuring sustainable resource use, and involving local communities in decision-making.

Transparency and accountability are crucial in addressing environmentalists’ concerns and ensuring the project aligns with its stated conservation and economic goals.

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