People’s campaign with media support can stop ill-conceived Gurugram Safari Park Project

Gustakhi Maaf Haryana – Pawan Kumar Bansal

By our enlightened reader Dr. Ranbir Singh Phaugat

THE EXPLOITATION OF ARAVALLI

The Aravalli Range in India is facing an ecological crisis due to a range of human activities that are severely impacting its biodiversity, soil and water resources, and ecosystem services. The region is confronting multiple environmental problems, including deforestation, mining, urbanization, and pollution, all of which are causing serious ecological damage.

Deforestation

Deforestation is a major problem in the Aravalli Range, with large areas of forest being cleared for agriculture, urbanization, and mining. The Aravallis are among the few remaining forested areas in the region, and the loss of forests has serious implications for biodiversity, soil and water resources, and ecosystem services.

Deforestation has led to the loss of habitat for many species of plants and animals and has disrupted the delicate balance of ecosystems in the region. It has also resulted in soil erosion, degradation of water resources, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters such as landslides and floods.

Forests play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (NASA, n.d.). The loss of forests in the Aravalli Range has contributed to increased levels of greenhouse gases, thereby exacerbating climate change.

Deforestation in the Aravalli Range is largely driven by human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and mining. The expansion of agriculture into forested areas has converted forests into farmland. Urbanization has expanded cities and towns into forest regions, while mining activities have cleared vast forest areas for operations.

Mining

Illegal mining is a major problem in the Aravalli Range, with unregulated extraction of minerals such as copper, zinc, and lead. These activities have serious environmental consequences, including soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of habitat for numerous species.

Mining has also disrupted vital ecosystem services provided by the Aravallis, such as groundwater recharge, which has significant implications for water sustainability in the region. Illegal mining persists due to high demand for minerals and weak enforcement mechanisms (Down to Earth, 2020), despite the presence of laws and regulations.

The degradation of soil and water resources caused by mining has adversely affected agriculture and the livelihoods of local communities.

Urbanization

Urbanization has had a significant impact on the Aravalli Range. Rapid urban growth has led to the expansion of cities and towns into forested and agricultural lands, resulting in habitat loss and degradation of natural resources.

The conversion of forests into urban areas has disrupted ecosystems and led to a decline in biodiversity. Construction activities have caused soil erosion and increased surface runoff, degrading water resources and affecting agriculture and local livelihoods.

Urbanization has also increased the demand for natural resources such as water and energy. Over-extraction of groundwater has resulted in declining water levels, affecting agriculture as well as domestic and industrial water availability.

Additionally, urbanization has intensified pollution in the Aravalli region. Industrial, vehicular, and agricultural pollution have led to air and water contamination, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss, with serious implications for human health and the environment.

Pollution

Pollution has had a significant impact on the Aravalli Range, with air and water pollution being the most prominent. Industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, and agricultural practices are major sources of air pollution, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and other health issues (S. Das, 2018).

Water pollution from industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage has degraded water resources, affecting drinking water availability and irrigation. Aquatic life has suffered significantly, resulting in biodiversity loss.

Soil pollution has reduced soil fertility, impacting agricultural productivity and ecosystem health.

The Policy Problem in Haryana

In Haryana, additional policy-related issues persist, particularly concerning land ownership and privatization in the Aravalli region. During the 1970s, changes in common land ownership norms led to village panchayats being vested with common land under the Punjab Village Common Lands Act, instead of transferring it to the forest department.

Subsequently, the revenue department permitted the transfer of shares in common land to stakeholders. This resulted in land being apportioned among landowners and sold at low prices, enabling profitable resale and accelerating privatization.

Environmentalists argue that this process laid the foundation for the privatization of the Aravallis in Haryana, especially near Delhi where real estate interests remain strong.

Another critical issue concerns the definition of forests. In T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India and Others (1996), the Supreme Court ruled that the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 apply to all thickly wooded areas. However, Haryana has failed to record or notify large portions of the Aravalli forests.

The state has also not officially notified around 60,000 acres of the Aravallis as a Natural Conservation Zone (NCZ), as mandated by the Regional Plan 2021 of the National Capital Regional Planning Board (2005). NCZ status restricts construction to only 0.5 per cent of the area, intended solely for “regional recreational activities.”

Due to the absence of legal protection, the Aravalli forests continue to be exploited by real estate interests and threatened by deforestation. Weak policy implementation, lack of political will, and rapid urbanization have severely damaged the Aravalli ecosystem.

By our enlightened reader Balbir Singh, Retired Chief Engineer (Irrigation), Haryana, and former Member, BBMB.

“Coming generations will continue to express their gratitude to the Hon’ble Supreme Court for eternity if it successfully halts the Aravalli Zoo Safari Project. Conversely, if the Apex Court grants clearance to this controversial project, it will be cursed by the hapless and helpless public for all time to come. The crux of the issue is that the Hon’ble Supreme Court must act in accordance with its conscience.”

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