Why in the News?
The Haryana government has proposed an ambitious 3,858-hectare Aravalli Safari Park spread across Gurugram and Nuh, which aims to be the world’s largest safari park.
About the Aravalli Range
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What is the Aravalli Safari Park Project?
- The Haryana government has proposed a 3,858-hectare Aravalli Safari Park, intended to be the world’s largest.
- The project covers 2,574 hectares in Gurugram and 1,284 hectares in Nuh.
- It will include animal enclosures, botanical gardens, aquariums, cable cars, hotels, and an animal hospital.
- Initially managed by the Tourism Department, the project is now under the Forest Department, with an expert committee overseeing its execution.
Why is there Opposition?
- Ecological Concerns: The Aravallis prevent desertification, and large-scale construction could disrupt groundwater recharge and biodiversity.
- Threat to Water Security: The region acts as an aquifer, and excessive tourism, vehicular traffic, and construction could worsen Gurugram and Nuh’s water crisis, already classified as “over-exploited” by the Central Ground Water Board.
- Legal Violations: The project falls under protected forest areas, governed by:
- Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
- Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, restricting deforestation.
- T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad Judgment (1996), which extends legal protection to non-notified forest land.
PYQ:[2011] The Himalayan Range is very rich in species diversity. Which one among the following is the most appropriate reason for this Phenomenon? (a) It has a high rainfall that supports luxuriant vegetative growth (b) It is a confluence of different bio-geographical zones. (c) Exotic and invasive species have not been introduced in this region. (d) It has less human interference. |
