The Aravali Safari Park project is a significant initiative launched by the Haryana government aimed at establishing the largest safari park globally in the Aravali region. This ambitious project will cover an expansive area of 3,858 hectares across the Gurugram and Nuh districts. The park is designed to include various attractions such as animal enclosures, guest houses, hotels, restaurants, auditoriums, an animal hospital, children’s parks, botanical gardens, aquariums, cable cars, and an open-air theatre.
The proposed safari park will be distributed over 18 villages in total, specifically incorporating 11 villages in Gurugram and 7 villages in Nuh. This extensive layout aims to enhance tourism while providing a range of recreational activities.
A coalition of 37 retired Indian Forest Service officers has formally requested the Prime Minister to reconsider and potentially scrap the project. Their main argument centers around the assertion that the project's primary focus is to boost tourist footfall rather than to safeguard the Aravali range. They express concern that the anticipated surge in visitors, vehicular traffic, and construction activities will disturb aquifers, which serve as crucial water reserves for the already water-scarce districts of Gurugram and Nuh.
The retired officers strongly believe that the main objective of any intervention in an eco-sensitive area should prioritize conservation and restoration over development and destruction. They propose that the government consider designating the Aravalis as a national park or sanctuary to ensure better environmental conservation.
The Aravali region benefits from several protective laws aimed at preserving its ecological integrity. Key regulations include:
These laws aim to conserve the ecologically significant Aravali range, which plays a vital role in combating desertification, recharging groundwater, and supporting a diverse range of biodiversity.
Q1. What is the main goal of the Aravali Safari Park project?
Answer: The primary goal of the Aravali Safari Park project is to establish the largest safari park globally while promoting tourism in the Aravali region.
Q2. How many villages are involved in the project?
Answer: The project will span across 18 villages, including 11 in Gurugram and 7 in Nuh, enhancing local tourism and recreation.
Q3. What concerns do environmentalists have about the project?
Answer: Environmentalists, including retired forest officers, are concerned that increased tourism will harm aquifers and disrupt the ecological balance in the Aravali region.
Q4. What laws protect the Aravali region?
Answer: Key laws protecting the Aravali include the Punjab Land Preservation Act, Indian Forest Act, and the Forest Conservation Act, which collectively aim to conserve its ecological integrity.
Q5. What alternatives have been suggested instead of the safari park?
Answer: Instead of the safari park, it has been suggested that the government should declare the Aravalis as a national park or sanctuary for better environmental conservation.
Question 1: What is the primary objective of the Aravali Safari Park project?
A) To enhance local agriculture
B) To promote tourism in the region
C) To create a wildlife sanctuary
D) To increase urban development
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: How many villages are included in the Aravali Safari Park project?
A) 10
B) 18
C) 15
D) 12
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: Which act restricts deforestation in the Aravali region?
A) Indian Wildlife Protection Act
B) Forest Conservation Act
C) Punjab Land Preservation Act
D) Environment Protection Act
Correct Answer: C
Question 4: Who has raised concerns about the Aravali Safari Park project?
A) Local residents
B) Retired Indian Forest Service officers
C) Tourists
D) Local businesses
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What should be the primary focus of interventions in eco-sensitive areas according to environmentalists?
A) Urban development
B) Tourism expansion
C) Conservation and restoration
D) Industrial growth
Correct Answer: C
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