Retired IFS officers urge PM Modi to cancel Aravalli Zoo Safari project over environmental concerns

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh shared a letter from 37 retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cancel the proposed Aravalli Zoo Safari project in south Haryana. The officers, representing various states across India, expressed deep concerns about the potential environmental damage that the project would inflict on the already-degraded Aravalli forest ecosystem.

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In a post on X, Ramesh said, “The Aravallis in Haryana are arguably the most degraded forests in the country and are particularly important for ecological balance in a state that has the lowest forest cover in India. In this context, the primary purpose of any intervention in this eco-sensitive area should be conservation and restoration, not destruction or monetisation.”

The retired officers highlighted the alarming degradation of the Aravalli range, which stretches across Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. They pointed to scientific studies revealing significant biodiversity loss and land degradation due to mining and construction activities over the years. “The Aravallis are home to diverse flora and fauna, and their rapid depletion affects both wildlife and local communities,” the letter emphasised.

The proposed zoo safari, covering 3,800 hectares, aims to boost tourism in Haryana but could have detrimental effects on the region’s already over-exploited groundwater reserves. The officers warned that the project would disturb vital aquifers and further degrade the forest ecosystem.

“We urge the government to prioritise the conservation of this ancient mountain range, which has been a natural barrier against desertification and a lifeline for local biodiversity,” the letter concluded.

The Aravalli range, over 670 million years old, has long been a critical ecological and cultural heritage site. The IFS officers’ appeal underscores the urgent need for comprehensive protection and restoration efforts to safeguard this irreplaceable ecosystem.