37 Retired forest officers urge PM Modi to scrap Haryana’s 10,000-acre safari project
A group of 37 retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers, including former principal chief conservators of forests, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately halt Haryana’s 10,000-acre safari project in the Aravalli region. The officers argue that the project prioritizes tourism over wildlife conservation, posing significant risks to one of India’s most ecologically sensitive areas.
In their letter, the retired officers raised concerns about the “alarming destruction” of the ancient Aravalli mountain range, which spans Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. The region has already suffered extensive damage due to mining, quarrying, deforestation, and real estate development, leading to severe habitat loss, human-wildlife conflicts, and critically low groundwater levels in many areas.
The officers criticized the safari project, launched in April 2022 by then-Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, as a tourism-focused initiative designed to boost Haryana’s economy and attract private investment rather than address conservation needs. They emphasized that increased vehicular traffic, construction, and other activities associated with the project could severely impact the fragile ecosystem.
The Aravallis, which house 180 bird species, 15 mammal species, 29 aquatic species, 57 butterfly species, and numerous reptiles, play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. However, the retired officers cautioned that deforestation and construction linked to the safari project would disrupt aquifers vital to the water-starved districts of Gurugram and Nuh. These aquifers are interconnected, and any disturbance could exacerbate groundwater scarcity. According to the Central Ground Water Board, groundwater levels in both districts are already classified as “overexploited.”
The officers further argued that zoos and safaris on forest land, while categorized as forest activities, often involve clearing trees and construction, which is prohibited in such areas. “Captive breeding in zoos is not a substitute for wildlife conservation,” said Uma Shanker Singh, a former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests from Uttar Pradesh. “Effective conservation efforts focus on preserving natural habitats and addressing threats in the wild.”
Highlighting Haryana’s alarmingly low forest cover of just 3.6%—the lowest in India—the officers stressed that the Aravallis are critical to restoring ecological balance in the region. “If preserved, the Aravallis could help improve rainfall and humidity, benefiting communities and wildlife alike,” they said.
RP Balwan, a retired Conservator of Forests from Haryana, underscored the irreversible damage the safari project could cause. “This fragile ecosystem is already under immense pressure, and any intervention must prioritize conservation and restoration rather than destruction,” he stated.
The retired officers have called on the government to abandon the safari project and focus instead on protecting and restoring the Aravallis to safeguard biodiversity, groundwater, and the livelihoods of communities dependent on this vital natural resource.
