The Aravalli Forest project is the Haryana government’s visionary project for a colossal 10,000-acre zoo safari in the Aravallis of Gurgaon and Nuh. The proposal incorporates the importance of wildlife conservation by setting goals to accommodate an array of animals, including big cats, amphibians, and herbivores. It also includes a bird park and nature trails for trekkers to explore. The proposal contains details of the project, such as ten distinct zones for different species, with a dedicated section for exotic animals and birds, as well as an immersive underwater world.
The project began under the compensatory afforestation scheme (CAMPA) to compensate for the tropical forests that are being cut down on the Little Nicobar Island for the mega-infrastructure project on the islands. The Haryana Tourism Authority had invited an expression of Interest (EOI) from competent applicants for the development of a Consensual Design with the possibility of securing a contract to develop the Master Plan in May 2022. Tagbin, a tech-experiential company, along with The Logical Zoo, a specialised design and consultancy firm for zoos and aquariums, are set to craft the blueprint for the Aravali Zoo safari.
However, the project is also facing legal challenges from environmental groups. A group of environment activists have challenged the project in a petition before the Supreme Court. The petition states that the Aravalli Hills are one of the oldest mountain ranges and have faced significant degradation over the years, which makes the preservation of this land more vital. Furthermore, it points out that the project is being built as a zoo safari instead of a natural jungle safari that can disrupt the natural environment and habitat.
History of the Aravalli Forest
The Aravalli Range, which runs across four states in India, is considered the remnants of one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. The term ‘forest’ has been long debated in India, and the Aravalli have been no exception to the confusion and ambiguity. In 1996, the landmark T.N Godavarman Vs. Union of India case mandated that the dictionary definition of the word would suffice, irrespective of government or private ownership, to serve the main purpose of curtailing deforestation. Despite this wide definition, the Aravalli mountain range has not been notified as ‘deemed forests’; however specific parts of the range, such as the Mangar Bani in Haryana, have been considered as ‘gair mumkin pahad’ and have no construction zones.
However, large parts of the Aravallis are not yet recorded as “forest” under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), making the land more vulnerable to deforestation and open to developmental plans. In 2015, the 18,000 acres of Aravallis spread in the urban states of Gurgaon and Faridabad were classified as ‘yet to be decided’; however, the new project has earmarked areas for the safari that are protected under Sections 4 and 5 of the PLPA, including areas in Gurgaon-Sakatpur, Gairatpur Bas, and Shikohpur. According to a study on the forest cover in the Aravallis by the Central University of Rajasthan, there has been a decline of 7.6 per cent (5,772 sq km) between 1975 and 2019.
The urgency of climate change necessitates carbon sinks, especially around the urban centres in India, a need that can be met through the revival of Aravallis. The government has, in fact, also unveiled a National Action Plan to combat desertification and land degradation, proposing the launch of the Aravalli Green Wall Project. This initiative was aimed at creating a green corridor of a 5km buffer area around the Aravalli Hill Range as well as rejuvenating the water bodies in the landscape.
Wildlife and Environment Conservation
Environment activists have raised concerns about the ecology and disturbances that may be caused by the zoo safari and claimed that the only objective of its implementation is revenue generation. Across the world, zoos have been known to play a vital role in the conservation of wildlife through breeding programs, habitat restoration and conservation education programs. However, the overall absence of conservation practices for the wildlife that considers the Aravalli landscape as its natural habitat raises concern over the objectives of the project. This also further begs an important question about the government’s plan to rehabilitate the natural wildlife that is native to the 10,000 acres of land under the project.
The zoo enclosures also risk creating a diversion for the natural routes for the wildlife and research has proved that enclosures are counterproductive to the conservation of wildlife while also contributing to high financial constraints. A citizens movement called the Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement had raised multiple concerns over the zoo safari project in a position paper to Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav. One of the primary concerns is related to the ‘underwater zone’ envisioned as part of the park in a water-scarce region. In the areas of Gurugram and Nuh, the groundwater level has been categorised as “overexploited” by the Central Ground Water Board. Moreover, the development of underwater zones and tropical aquariums can produce a significant amount of carbon dioxide emissions. The maintenance of this will also be highly water-intensive.
The zoo project will also increase the footfall in the region, which will likely be met with supporting infrastructure, such as hotels, restaurants, auditoriums, and road networks. The commercialisation of the Aravalli will not only incentivise the region for business but also unchecked construction.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court and the NGT have time and again emphasised the categorisation of the Aravalli as a “forest” and its protection under the Forest Conservation Act. Furthermore, the project of an artificial zoo is “non-site specific” and can, thus, be executed in any other part of the country where the location is less ecologically sensitive and the damage can be minimised. While the Aravalli Zoo Safari project may be aimed at environmental education and revenue generation, the park’s establishment is set against a backdrop of the local citizen’s persistent struggles against mining in the region. Their advocacy has been instrumental in safeguarding the forested areas. The initiative should focus on ensuring that the natural habitat remains intact for the wildlife that the zoo safari park seeks to showcase and conserve.
By prioritising sustainable practices, reducing human impact, and supporting local conservation efforts, the project can serve as a model of how development and nature preservation can coexist, fostering a future where both wildlife and local communities thrive.
