In a landmark move balancing development with environmental preservation, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday halted the ambitious Aravali Zoo Safari project proposed by the Haryana government. Touted as the world’s largest jungle safari, the 10,000-acre initiative aimed to feature big cat zones, an underwater safari, and house over 180 species of birds and animals across Gurgaon and Nuh districts.
The apex court’s decision came in response to a petition filed jointly by five retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers and the NGO People for Aravalis, represented by advocate Ms. Shibani Ghosh. The bench, led by Chief Justice Mr. B.R. Gavai and Justice Mr. K. Vinod Chandran, directed the Haryana government to submit a detailed response within a week and ordered it to “not take any step towards implementing the project till further orders.”
Petition Raises Alarm on Potential Ecological Disaster
The petition highlights serious environmental threats posed by the Rs. 1,000 crore safari project, warning that the scale of proposed construction—ranging from hotels and roads to research labs and commercial establishments—could permanently damage the already degraded Aravali ecosystem. The Aravalis are among India’s oldest mountain ranges and serve as a crucial green buffer zone for the National Capital Region.
Petitioners argued that the use of compensatory afforestation funds for financing such a commercially driven venture violates legal norms and defeats the purpose of ecological restoration. They warned of irreversible impacts on the region’s biodiversity, hydrology, and natural terrain, which is already under severe stress due to mining, deforestation, and urbanisation.
SC Awaits Clear Definition of Aravali Hills Before Proceeding
Amicus Curiae and senior advocate Mr. K. Parameshwar informed the court that the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had been directed to formulate a uniform definition of the Aravali hills. This definition will have significant implications for the ecological viability and legal compliance of the proposed safari project.
“It would be prudent to await the definition of Aravali prior to hearing the petition as it would have a strong bearing on the viability of the project and its impact,” Mr. Parameshwar told the bench.
Haryana’s Vision: World’s Biggest Safari Park in the Making
According to earlier statements made by the former Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar, the state intended to create a world-class safari with 10 thematic zones, including one for tigers, lions, leopards, and even an underwater experience. The Phase-I plan, covering 2,500 acres, was slated to begin soon, according to the Forest and Wildlife Minister of Haryana.
The safari park was expected to attract tourism, create employment, and generate state revenue. However, its location within the ecologically sensitive Aravali range has raised red flags among conservationists and environmental experts alike.
Balancing Development with Ecology: A Test for Policy and Planning
The apex court’s intervention underscores the growing importance of environmentally sustainable development and highlights the need for transparent decision-making when dealing with ecologically sensitive zones. While the project reflects Haryana’s developmental aspirations and potential tourism revenue, the challenge lies in ensuring that such initiatives do not come at the cost of environmental degradation.
The court’s directive halts any further action by the Haryana government until a clear legal and ecological roadmap is in place. This case could set a national precedent for how large-scale projects are evaluated in eco-sensitive zones going forward.
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