The Supreme Court of India has tasked the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) with evaluating the proposed Aravali Zoo Safari project, a plan by the Haryana government to establish what it claims will be the world's largest zoo-safari across 10,000 acres of afforested land in the Gurgaon and Nuh districts. The area in question is located within the ecologically sensitive Aravali Hills.
The decision by the Supreme Court came during the hearing of interim applications filed in a pending 1995 Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Haryana's counsel stated that the apex court had previously restrained the state from proceeding with the project. The state has submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Central Zoo Authority, which is yet to be considered. The project site is located in the Aravali, Mewat region, characterized by degraded forest land due to past mining activities.
The court wants the CEC to conduct a thorough examination of the project's feasibility, considering both environmental and ecological aspects. The court has made it clear that if the CEC finds the project to be ecologically or environmentally harmful, it will not move forward. The interim stay on the project will remain in effect until further notice.
The proposed zoo safari envisions establishing big cat zones and housing hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, and butterflies. Concerns have been raised about the project's potential impact on the region's water table, the types of species and afforestation planned, and the sourcing of animals. The amicus curiae in the case, Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar, expressed doubts about whether the CEC would be able to fully assess the potential ecological damage at this stage, given the lack of complete documentation.
The project has faced opposition from retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers and the NGO 'People for Aravalis,' who argue that it would be detrimental to the already fragile Aravali range. They contend that the project prioritizes commercial interests over the restoration of a region crucial to the environmental health of Delhi-NCR. The Aravallis are described as a vital barrier against desertification, a critical water recharge zone, a pollution sink, a climate regulator, and a wildlife habitat. Concerns have also been raised about the large-scale construction of permanent structures and facilities, including administrative blocks, research centers, guest houses, and other amenities, which would result in extensive tree cutting.
