Petition Description:

We, the members of the Save Aravali Trust, are raising our voices against the Haryana government's controversial Aravali safari park project, which threatens to disrupt one of India's most ecologically significant landscapes. Spanning 3,858 hectares across Gurugram and Nuh, this ambitious project proposes to transform the Aravalis into the world's largest safari park. However, we believe that this project is not just an environmental disaster, but also a grave injustice to the local communities who rely on the Aravali ecosystem for their survival.

Project Overview: 

The Aravali safari park is planned to include animal enclosures, guest accommodations, dining options, and recreational facilities, with the aim of boosting tourism in the region. While this may sound like an attractive project for tourism, it has already raised serious concerns among environmentalists, local communities, and experts. The Haryana government has transferred the project to the forest department for better oversight, and an expert committee has been set up to evaluate its environmental impact.

However, this project poses an irreversible threat to the Aravalis' delicate ecosystem. The proposed site spans over 18 villages across Gurugram and Nuh, including ecologically sensitive areas critical to maintaining groundwater levels and biodiversity. The Aravalis are vital for preventing desertification, supporting wildlife, and providing natural resources to the people living in these areas.

The Aravali Range - A Natural Treasure:

• The Aravalis, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, extend 670 km from Delhi to Gujarat, passing through Haryana and Rajasthan.
• These mountains are the origin of several important rivers, including the Banas, Sahibi, and Luni Rivers, all of which play crucial roles in sustaining water supplies for the region.
• The Aravalis are home to a wealth of biodiversity and provide critical groundwater recharge for water-scarce areas like Gurugram, Faridabad and Nuh.
• This region is already struggling with water scarcity. Developing a tourism-driven project in the middle of this sensitive ecosystem will only worsen the situation and risk the destruction of the forests, wildlife habitats, and aquifers.

Opposition from Experts and Retired Forest Officers: 

A coalition of 37 retired Indian Forest Service officers has formally opposed this project, arguing that it places tourism over conservation. They point out that any development in ecologically sensitive regions like the Aravalis should focus on restoration, not destruction. The project threatens to exacerbate aquifer depletion, wildlife displacement, and further soil erosion in the region.

Legal Protections and Violations: 

The Aravali hills are protected under various laws, including:

• Punjab Land Preservation Act of 1900: This restricts land use and deforestation.
• Indian Forest Act: 24,000 hectares of the Aravalis are designated as Protected Forests.
• The National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court have reinforced these legal protections, making the proposed safari park project legally contentious. It is not just an environmental risk, but a legal violation of established conservation policies.

What We Propose Instead: 

Rather than focusing on short-term tourism development, we advocate for a national park or sanctuary in the region, which would align better with the long-term goal of conservation and rewilding. This would provide the necessary protection for wildlife, restore the natural habitats, and ensure that the Aravalis remain a sustainable, living ecosystem for generations to come.

Our Demands:

We call on the Haryana government to:

1. Immediately halt the Aravali safari park project.
2. 2. Focus on the protection and restoration of the Aravalis' natural biodiversity and ecosystems.
3. Consult with experts, local communities, and environmental organizations to find alternative solutions, such as establishing a national park or sanctuary.
4. Uphold the legal protections in place for the Aravalis and ensure that no further damage is done to this precious landscape.

This is a pivotal moment for the Aravalis. We must stand together to protect this unique and irreplaceable ecological region, which is essential to the well-being of millions of people, countless species of wildlife, and the health of our environment.

Sign the petition to help us protect the Aravalis from this destructive project and ensure that it remains a natural heritage for future generations.

Thank you for your support in protecting one of India’s most important natural treasures!