Wildlife Conservation Efforts

What is the Aravalli Safari Park Project?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Aravalli Range

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

  • The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world, dating back to the Proterozoic era.
  • It stretches 692 km from Gujarat to Delhi, passing through Rajasthan and Haryana.
  • The range acts as a natural green barrier, preventing the expansion of the Thar Desert into eastern Rajasthan and the Gangetic plains.
  • Highest Peak: Guru Shikhar (1,722 meters) in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
  • Rivers originating from the Aravalli Range:
    • Banas and Sahibi Rivers (tributaries of the Yamuna).
    • Luni River, which flows into the Rann of Kutch.
  • Rich in mineral resources, including copper, zinc, lead, and marble.
  • The Aravalli hills play a critical role in groundwater recharge, acting as natural aquifers.
  • 80% of the range is in Rajasthan, while the rest is in Haryana, Delhi, and Gujarat.

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.

 

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.

💥Mentorship February Batch Launch
💥💥Mentorship January Batch Launch