Ahead of Haryana polls, citizens’ group urges candidates to press for scrapping zoo safari project

Just over a month before the Haryana Assembly elections, a group of citizens and organisations in the state has urged candidates to commit to ending plans for a safari park in the Aravalli mountains that they allege would be environmentally detrimental.

The safari park is set to be built on forested land and in a wildlife corridor which houses leopards, sambar deer, hog deer and striped hyenas. The Haryana Tourism Corporation aims to import non-native exotic animals to recreate habitats for reptiles, birds, lions and an “underwater world.”

The commercialised park would include hotels, restaurants, children’s parks and a cable car, Scroll has reported previously.

Conservation biologist Neha Sinha told Scroll in April that the park would displace existing wildlife in the “last functioning Aravalli wildlife corridor”. Those who live near the land fear their homes will be demolished to make space for the park.

The project is being built using funds that Haryana will receive for compensatory afforestation for the Great Nicobar Island Development Project.

The safari is one of many concerns posed by People for Aravallis, an environmental advocacy group which consulted citizens in 17 Haryana districts. On Thursday, it published a “Green Manifesto” recommending legislation to ensure food and water security, combat air pollution and improve waste management.

For the manifesto, the advocacy group...

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