Latest news with #AravaliGreenWallProject
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
Phase 1 design draft in place, Haryana moves forward with Aravali jungle safari project
The Haryana government is moving forward with its ambitious plan to develop Asia's largest jungle safari in Gurgaon's Aravali region. With the forest department's preliminary design for the first phase complete, work on the multi-crore project—on around 10,000 acres of land—is expected to begin soon. Last week, Manohar Lal, the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Energy, and Bhupendra Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, inspected the proposed site near Sakatpur village. 'Four gates will be constructed for entry into the jungle safari near Sohna, on the Taudu-Sohna road, in Naurangpur, and Sakatpur village,' Rao Narbir Singh, Haryana Forest Minister, said. Singh had accompanied the Union ministers to the site. Inspired by the safaris at Sharjah, Vantara in Jamnagar, and Gir Sanctuary, the Aravalli jungle safari spanning Gurgaon and Nuh districts is a dream project of Union minister and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar. After reviewing the site, Khattar said, 'The project will play an important role in promoting tourism while preserving the natural beauty, biodiversity, and historical heritage of the Aravali mountain range. In the first phase, international-level facilities will be developed across 2,500 acres.' Yadav added that the central government will fully support the project. 'Local species of plants will be planted here, and a wildlife-friendly ecosystem will be developed,' he added. The jungle safari, which will feature diverse zones, including big cat habitats, an aviary, a herpetarium, botanical gardens, nature trails, and an underwater world, is expected to be completed in four phases. It was one of the promises made by the BJP in its manifesto released ahead of the Assembly elections in the state in October last year. Besides boosting tourism and creating employment opportunities in surrounding villages, the project aims to conserve the fragile Aravali ecosystem and contribute to a balanced, resilient environment in the NCR. Complementing the safari is the 'Matru Van' campaign under the Aravali Green Wall Project, where about 20,000 trees will be planted to further boost greenery in the region. 'It will be significantly larger—about five times the size—than the existing largest curated safari park outside Africa, located in Sharjah,' one of the senior officers privy to the ongoing developments on the project disclosed. 'Emphasising ecological balance, the development will focus on planting local plant species and creating a wildlife-friendly ecosystem that supports diverse flora and fauna. The central government has assured full support, with key steps including setting up an Aravali Foundation to oversee project management and operations. Experienced international consultants are being engaged to guide the safari's development, ensuring technical and environmental standards are met,' the officer added. Last month, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini accompanied Khattar and Singh to Vantara, after which Saini spoke about the state's jungle safari project. 'This ambitious project will not only promote green tourism in the state, but will also prove to be an important step towards the conservation of wildlife,' he had said then. The Haryana government has not officially announced the project cost, but experts estimate the investment to range between Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,000 crore, reflecting the scale and ambition of this project. Sources said the government is wary of the 'financial issues', the 'revenue-generation model', and whether the project will be financially sustainable. There are other issues, too. 'The project also faces stiff opposition from environmentalists. Several former Indian Forest Service officers have raised concerns about the potential ecological impact, including threats to groundwater levels and biodiversity. In February this year, several of these officers wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging that 'the primary purpose of any intervention in an eco-sensitive zone should be 'conservation and restoration' and not destruction'. Officials, however, said that the Haryana government was considering alternative funding models, including public-private partnerships to share the financial burden and ensure the project's viability.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Govt starts soil devpt in Aravalli dists to restore ecology, combat desertification
1 2 Jaipur: In a major push for ecological restoration and desertification control, the Rajasthan govt began soil development works across 3,700 hectares in 19 districts along the Aravali range under the Aravali Green Development Project. With an allocation of Rs 250 crore over five years, the project comprises one year of plantation followed by one year of maintenance. Rajasthan is the first among the four Aravali states — Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, and Gujarat — to roll out this initiative on a large scale. The project aims to restore the deteriorating Aravali ecosystem and prevent the advancement of sandstorms from the Thar Desert into the National Capital Region (NCR), a phenomenon that intensified due to land degradation and deforestation. "This is not just a plantation drive; it's an ecological defence mechanism for North India," said a senior official from the state department of environment. "By restoring green cover in Aravalis, we are building a natural shield against desertification, dust storms, and soil erosion. " Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Aravali Green Wall Project, the initiative will be followed by a massive plantation in the coming years along the Aravali hills from Delhi to Ahmedabad. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pierce Brosnan's Wife Lost 120 Pounds - This Is Her Now Undo In Rajasthan, the govt is using indigenous and climate-resilient species. Among those selected are Khejri — the state tree of Rajasthan known for its deep roots and drought resistance — along with Babool, Dhak, Neem, and Ber. Native grasses like Sevan and Dhaman will be used for soil stabilisation in areas with water scarcity. "These species are selected not only for their adaptability to varied climates — from Sikar's dry zones to the humid areas of Dungarpur and Sirohi — but also for their role in supporting biodiversity and improving groundwater recharge," the official added. The project spans from Alwar to Sirohi, covering approximately 550 kilometre out of 685km — nearly 80% of the Aravali range in Rajasthan. The plantation will be limited to forest land, excluding areas with human habitation or encroachments. "The focus is on long-term sustainability. We will skip over degraded or settled lands and concentrate on forest tracts that can be revived effectively," said the official. The project is being carried out under the supervision of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, which will also monitor outcomes through indicators such as flora and fauna recovery, groundwater level changes, and microclimatic shifts. "This is the largest ecological restoration effort ever undertaken in the Aravalis," said L.K. Sharma, Head of the Department of Environmental Studies at Central University of Rajasthan. "However, the real test will be in sustaining the plantations. In arid zones like Jaipur and Sikar, saplings often survive only six months without proper care. Maintenance is critical to achieving any meaningful ecological impact. " Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
