Former forest officers have come together opposing the proposed zoo safari project in the Aravallis.
The project planned across 10,000 acres of the Aravallis in Gurugram and Nuh districts was announced in April 2022.
The officials have written to the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change challenging the decision.
The letter raised concerns over the alarming destruction of the Aravalli range due to mining, real estate development and deforestation. The officials highlighted an urgent need for comprehensive conservation and protection strategies to preserve the oldest mountain range in India.
Uma Shanker Singh, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest from Uttar Pradesh, said in a press statement that the Aravalli range hosts 180 species of birds, 15 species of mammals and 29 species of aquatic animals. It is also known to have 57 species of butterflies, according to the Haryana forest department.
“A zoo or a safari is often considered not essential for wildlife conservation because while they can play a role in breeding endangered species, the practice of keeping animals in captivity in limited spaces can negatively impact their natural behaviours. The most effective conservation efforts focus on protecting natural habitats and addressing threats in the wild, rather than relying on captive breeding programs in zoos,” she said.
The former forest officials pointed out that zoo safari location falls under the category of ‘forest’, but directives of the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal have noted that these steps are prohibitive in nature under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
As such, cutting of trees, clearing of land, construction and real estate development are prohibited in this ‘Prohibited Zone’. Therefore, the extensive construction proposed for this zoo safari park would be illegal and further damage the already damaged Aravalli ecosystem, the statement said.
“For Haryana state having the lowest forest cover in India at around 3.6 per cent, the Aravalli range is the only saving grace, providing the major portion of its forest cover. If left untouched, the Aravalli range would be enough to bring back humidity and sufficient rainfall in this dry region,” said Arvind Jha, former PCCF, Maharashtra.
The statement indicated that the state government intends to boost tourism and attract more investments through the Aravalli zoo safari project. However, the rise in foot traffic and construction in the ecologically sensitive area will put pressure on the aquifers in the drought-prone districts of Gurugram and Nuh.
“The aquifers are interconnected and any disturbance or alterations in the pattern can significantly alter the groundwater. The zoo safari project envisages 'underwater zone' in the park that may negatively impact water levels since the area is a 'water-scarce region',” Jha stated.
The groundwater level in the Gurugram and Nuh region have been categorised as “overexploited” by the Central Ground Water Board. In some areas, the groundwater table is already below 1,000 feet.