On October 9, 2025, the Supreme Court of India issued an order pausing all work on Haryana's proposed jungle safari park in the Aravalli hills, following a petition highlighting potential ecological harm. This decision comes amid growing debates on balancing development projects like eco-tourism with the protection of fragile ecosystems, especially in the Aravallis, which serve as a vital green barrier for northern India.
What Is the Proposed Jungle Safari Project in Haryana's Aravalli Hills?
Basic Overview: The project is a large-scale eco-tourism initiative announced in 2022 to develop a jungle safari park over 10,000 acres in the Aravalli hills, spanning Gurgaon and Nuh districts, inspired by global models like the Sharjah Safari in the UAE.
Key Features: It includes international-level facilities such as big cat enclosures, aviaries, herpetariums for reptiles, botanical gardens, nature trails, and an underwater exhibit, with Phase 1 focusing on 2,500 acres near Sakatpur village.
Objectives: The Haryana government aims to blend conservation with tourism, planting local species as part of the Mati Van initiative and creating a theme-based urban forest along the Gurgaon-Faridabad Road.
Funding and Timeline: Estimated at Rs 500-1,000 crore, it involves public-private partnerships; work on the initial phase was expected to start soon, but has been paused by the court.
What Led to the Supreme Court's Intervention in This Project?
Petition Details: Filed on September 24, 2025, by retired IFS officers and People for Aravallis as an application in the TN Godavarman case, which deals with forest conservation across India.
Court Order: On October 9, 2025, the Supreme Court issued notices to Haryana and directed no further work until October 15, responding to concerns about ecological damage.
Legal Context: The Aravallis are protected under various laws, including the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900, and Supreme Court rulings that recognize their role in preventing desertification and pollution.
Broader Implications: This halt allows review of whether the project violates environmental norms, especially in an area already facing threats from mining and urbanization.
What Are the Aravalli Hills and Their Basic Geographical Features?
Location and Extent: The Aravalli Range is India's oldest fold mountain system, stretching about 670 km from Delhi in the north to Gujarat in the southwest, passing through Haryana, Rajasthan, and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Formation and Age: Formed around 1.5 billion years ago through tectonic folding, they are eroded remnants of ancient mountains, with peaks like Guru Shikhar in Rajasthan at 1,722 meters.
Divisions: Divided into northern (Delhi-Haryana), central (Rajasthan), and southern (Gujarat) sections, with the Haryana portion acting as a natural barrier for the National Capital Region (NCR).
Climate Influence: They influence monsoon patterns by blocking winds, regulating temperatures, and aiding rainfall in the surrounding plains.
Why Are the Aravalli Hills Ecologically Important for India?
Barrier Against Desertification: They act as a natural shield preventing the Thar Desert's sands from advancing into the Indo-Gangetic plains, protecting fertile lands in Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.
Water Recharge Zone: The hills serve as a critical groundwater recharge area, absorbing rainwater and feeding aquifers that supply water to millions in NCR, with studies showing they contribute to 40% of Delhi's groundwater.
Biodiversity Hotspot: Home to over 180 bird species, 15 mammals like leopards and hyenas, 29 aquatic species, and diverse flora including dhok trees and thorny shrubs, supporting ecosystems like dry deciduous forests.
Pollution Control: They trap dust and pollutants from the west, improving air quality in Delhi-NCR, and their forests absorb carbon, helping combat climate change.
What Are the Main Ecological Concerns Raised Against the Jungle Safari Project?
Disruption of Wildlife Corridors: The project could sever the last functional corridor linking Mangar Bani grove in Faridabad to Asola wildlife sanctuary in Delhi, affecting animal movement and genetic diversity.
Habitat Destruction: Clearing land for enclosures and trails would destroy natural habitats, leading to loss of biodiversity and increased human-wildlife conflicts.
Water Depletion: The safari's water needs for animals and visitors could strain already depleting groundwater in the semi-arid Aravallis, exacerbating shortages in nearby villages.
Zoo-Chosis and Animal Welfare: Enclosures may cause stress to animals, denying them natural behaviors, as highlighted by retired forest officials who compare it to zoos causing psychological harm.
What Is Haryana's Proposed New Definition for Aravalli Hills and Its Implications?
Current Definition: Traditionally, Aravallis include all hills and ranges in the supergroup, protected under laws to prevent mining and deforestation.
Proposed Changes: Haryana suggests defining them only by geological age (part of Aravalli or Delhi Supergroup) and height (over 100 meters), excluding younger or shorter features.
Potential Impacts: This could lift protections from vast areas, allowing real estate development and mining, which have already degraded 25% of the range in Haryana.
Criticisms: Conservationists argue it dilutes the ecological identity, ignoring functions like water retention and biodiversity, potentially accelerating desertification.
What Is the Background of Conservation Efforts in the Aravalli Hills?
Historical Threats: Since the 1980s, illegal mining, urbanization, and deforestation have reduced forest cover by 50% in parts, leading to Supreme Court bans on mining in 2002 and 2009.
Key Initiatives: The Aravalli Green Wall Project aims to restore 20,000 hectares by planting native species; India joined global efforts like the Minerals Security Partnership to reduce mining pressures.
Legal Protections: Covered under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and Environment Impact Assessment rules, with community rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Community Role: Local tribes like Gujjars depend on the hills for fodder and fuel, and their involvement in restoration has been key in past successes.
How Does This Project Fit into Broader Eco-Tourism Trends in India?
Eco-Tourism Definition: It involves responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves local well-being, as per the Ministry of Tourism guidelines.
National Context: India promotes eco-tourism in areas like Ranthambore and Jim Corbett, generating Rs 5,000 crore annually and creating jobs, but poorly planned projects lead to over-tourism and habitat loss.
Benefits Claimed: Haryana says the safari will boost revenue, create 70,000 jobs, and educate on conservation, aligning with Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Challenges: Similar projects, like Goa's suspended eco-tourism plan in 2025, faced court halts due to wildlife disruption, showing the need for balanced approaches.
What Are the Potential Socio-Economic Impacts of the Project?
Positive Aspects: Could attract tourists, generating income for locals through jobs in guiding and hospitality, and promoting awareness of Aravalli heritage.
Negative Effects: Displaces communities dependent on forests for livelihoods, increases water scarcity, and risks health from pollution or radiation from old mining sites.
Alternatives Suggested: Petitioners recommend true eco-tourism like community-led trails, avoiding large enclosures to preserve natural ecosystems.
Long-Term Outlook: If approved, it could set a precedent for similar projects, but experts urge environmental impact assessments to ensure sustainability.
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