Gurugram, a bustling metropolis neighbouring Delhi, known for its towering buildings, is now set to embrace a unique initiative that seeks to bring nature's beauty closer to its residents. The Aravali forest in Gurugram has long been hailed as a green oasis amidst the urbanised concrete landscape. However, a recent proposal to develop a Jungle Safari Park within its boundaries has ignited a heated debate among residents, environmentalists, and government authorities.
In 2022, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar unveiled an ambitious plan to establish a sprawling 10,000-acre Safari Park project in the Aravali region of the state. The project aims to create employment opportunities for local youth, particularly in the ten surrounding villages. By focusing on villages such as Bhondsi, Ghamroj, Alipur, Tikli, Aklimpur, Naurangpur, Bar Gujjar in Gurugram, and Kota Khandewla, Gangani, Mohamadpur Ahir, Kharak, Jalalpur, Bhango, and Chalka in Nuh, the initiative seeks to bring benefits to the local communities, according to CM Khattar.
Officials say that diverse employment opportunities are set to arise from the Safari Park project such as job construction, security, supervision and more. To ensure the smooth implementation of the project, the central government has formed a committee under the guidance of the additional director general of forests from the environment ministry.
The proposed jungle safari park project comprises ten distinct zones, each offering a unique experience. These zones will include a vast herbarium, a bird park, four enclosures for big cats, a spacious area for herbivores, a dedicated section for exotic animals and birds, an immersive underwater world, enchanting nature trails, visitor areas, tourism zones, and enchanting botanical gardens, among other captivating features.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar emphasised that local villagers can take advantage of the Haryana government's homestay policy. Through this initiative, homeowners will have the opportunity to offer rooms or their entire homes to tourists and visitors at reasonable rental rates. Additionally, he assured that the safari park will play a vital role in the protection and conservation of the rich biodiversity present in the Aravali region. The project aims to safeguard 180 bird species, 15 mammal species, 29 aquatic animals and reptiles, and 57 butterfly species that inhabit the region.
For nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers, the Aravali Forest Safari Project offers an opportunity to connect with nature and also embrace the region's development to the next level.
Mina, a house help, says, "This park will be a great opportunity for my husband and me to earn extra income, which will allow us to send our daughter to a good private school. We plan to start a food stall and sell homemade decoration items to the tourists visiting the park."
Kamlesh, a daily wage worker, too shares a similar perspective. "This park will provide many of us with job opportunities. The pandemic has already impacted our lives, and this park brings a ray of hope for us."
Many residents of Gurugram feel that this initiative will allow visitors to closely witness the region's diverse flora and fauna. They say that the project aims to promote conservation efforts and raise awareness about the delicate ecosystems thriving within the area.
"It is refreshing to have a place like a safari park in a city that is dominated by pollution. It will serve as an ideal weekend getaway, offering me a peaceful escape from the hectic corporate work life. Breathing clean air while immersing ourselves in nature is the perfect recipe for relaxation," says Ayush, an employee at Deloitte.
However, the perspectives within the community are as diverse as the forest itself.
Forced Aforestation?
While some residents have welcomed the initiative with a warm heart, there are others who are not in favour of this project. Opponents of the project raise concerns about the irreversible damage it could cause to the fragile ecosystem of the Aravali Forest. They argue that clearing vast areas of the forest and introducing artificial structures could disrupt the natural habitat, threatening the biodiversity and delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Additionally, an influx of tourists could disturb the delicate balance of the forest, leading to habitat degradation and increased conflicts between humans and wildlife.
"The proposed safari park would lead to deforestation and the destruction of habitats. It is crucial to prioritise the conservation of this unique ecosystem over commercial interests," expresses Nidhi Kankan, who works at an NGO called I Am Gurugram.
Manisa Dubey, a volunteer with Aravalli Bachao Andolan, adds to this, saying, “The establishment of the proposed safari park will not only further deprive many animals of their natural habitats, but it will also confine them within an artificial environment. It is essential to acknowledge that animals have the right to their own lives, and we do not have the authority to confine them in captivity.”
Aravali Safari Park Issue Reaches Courts
The controversy surrounding the Aravali Safari project has also reached the top court. Some Gurugram residents, supported by environmental organisations, have filed a plea in the Supreme Court to halt the project. They argue that the proposal violates forest laws and poses a significant threat to the environment.
According to petitioners, the Aravali range with its vibrant green forests has served as a crucial natural barrier for the region, effectively protecting against desertification. This range acts as a watershed, separating the Indus Basin in the Northwest from the Ganga Basin in the East, spanning vast regions of North India. Any interference with this natural landscape will have far-reaching consequences for the areas adjacent to the North Indian plains, causing significant environmental devastation. The end consequences will be suffered by eastern Rajasthan, Haryana, the Malwa region, western Uttar Pradesh, and even Delhi.
The chosen sites for development are characterised by undulating landscapes with varying soil depths and poor moisture retention, making them prone to water stress. The petitioners argue that the proposed massive real estate development for tourism in these landscapes is not sustainable due to the acute water crisis.
Furthermore, the petitioners emphasise that out of the 23 districts where the Aravali range exists, Delhi, Gurugram, and Faridabad are the most urbanised. They state that these districts have already experienced a significant loss of vegetation cover since 1992, with fractional losses amounting to 29 per cent, 17 per cent, and 15 per cent, respectively.
According to the opponents of the Safari Park project, the groundwater levels in the Gurugram and Nuh regions have been classified as "overexploited" by the Central Ground Water Board. In their position paper addressed to the ministry, experts and activists emphasised that in Nuh district, the groundwater table is already below 1,000 feet in many areas, leading to the depletion of tube wells, borewells, and ponds. Gurugram district also has numerous areas classified as "red zone" due to water scarcity.
The interconnected aquifers in these regions are highly vulnerable to disturbances or alterations, which can have a significant impact on the groundwater table. The proposed location for the Aravali Safari Park project is categorised as a "forest" as per several orders by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT). It is protected under the Forest Conservation Act, which prohibits activities such as tree cutting, land clearing, and real estate development on this land, as highlighted in the paper.
Animals are also prone to disease risk spread by humans. The petitioners provided examples of instances where visitors to zoos have been carriers of diseases, leading to health issues in animals. They highlighted the case of four tigers and three lions testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at the Bronx Zoo in New York. These incidents, according to the petitioners, indicate that despite strict health and hygiene regulations set by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), the prevalence and transmission of diseases among zoo animals remain a significant concern. Additionally, artificial settings cannot replicate the ecological value and the sense of wilderness that the Aravali Forest provides.
“The actions of humans have already caused immense harm to numerous animal species, primarily by destroying their habitats and altering their natural environments. As a result, animals are venturing into nearby village areas due to the loss of their homes, leading to unfortunate incidents where they are often killed in the name of ensuring human safety. This project must be stopped,” says Nimika, a resident of Gurugram.
In response to the clauses cited by petitioners, the Haryana government defends its stance, claiming that objections to the project are hasty and misguided. They highlighted the economic benefit and tourism opportunities that the safari park could bring to the region.
The Supreme Court has acknowledged and taken notice of the issue, and they have assigned a group of experts to evaluate how the project might affect the environment. The judges have emphasized the importance of finding a balance between development and conservation, highlighting the need for sustainable actions to safeguard the Aravali Forest.
As Niharika Das, a resident of Gurugram, says, “In our pursuit of development, humans are not progressing but rather inviting our own suffering and edging closer to our own downfall. Nature has already begun retaliating through floods, severe heatwaves, droughts, and landslides. Certainly, nature will eventually take its final revenge, not only for the destruction of the environment but also for the misery we inflict upon the lives of animals. It is important that we realise this and put a stop to the destruction.”
The Aravali Forest Safari Project is taking shape but the people of Gurugram are at the crossroads of progress and preservation. The project's positive potential cannot be denied: fostering environmental awareness, boosting the local economy and providing a gateway to nature for urban dwellers. At the same time, the destruction and misery that it will bring along cannot be ignored. Careful consideration must be given to address the concerns surrounding habitat conservation, sustainable practices, and community involvement.
Ultimately, it is only through responsible and inclusive decision-making that the Aravali Forest Safari Project can become a model for harmonising nature, tourism, keeping in mind the coexistence of both the people and the wildlife of Gurugram.
