Context:
The Supreme Court of India has refused to permit any activity in the Aravalli range, including the proposed Aravalli Zoo Safari project in Haryana’s Gurgaon and Nuh districts, stressing the need for scientific evaluation and comprehensive ecological assessment before approving projects in the region.
Key Highlights:
- Judicial Intervention / Case Background
- The Supreme Court halted the proposed Aravalli Zoo Safari project, citing ecological concerns.
- The Haryana government proposed a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) reducing the safari area from about 10,000 acres to around 3,300 acres.
- The Court stated that no activities will be allowed in the Aravalli region until a comprehensive review is conducted.
- Role of Expert Evaluation
- The Chief Justice of India emphasized the need for a scientific and impartial assessment.
- The Court directed that a holistic report be prepared by an independent expert committee.
- The evaluation will examine environmental sustainability and ecological impact across the entire Aravalli range.
- Link with Earlier Supreme Court Orders
- The decision is connected to the Court’s earlier directive to reassess the definition of Aravalli hills, especially the 100-metre height criterion used for regulatory purposes.
- Altering this definition could open large areas to mining activities, posing risks to the fragile ecosystem.
- Ecological Significance of the Aravalli Range
- The Aravallis serve as an important ecological barrier against desertification from the Thar Desert.
- They support biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and climate regulation in northern India.
- The region has been facing severe degradation due to mining, urbanization, and infrastructure projects.
- Stakeholders Involved
- Supreme Court of India
- Haryana Government
- Central Empowered Committee (CEC)
- Environmental experts and conservation organizations
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Aravalli Range:
- One of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world.
- Extends approximately 700 km from Gujarat through Rajasthan to Haryana and Delhi.
- Acts as a natural barrier preventing eastward expansion of the Thar Desert.
- Important for groundwater recharge and biodiversity conservation.
- Central Empowered Committee (CEC):
- A body appointed by the Supreme Court of India to provide expert advice in forest and environmental matters.
- Often assists the Court in cases involving forest conservation and environmental protection.
- Detailed Project Report (DPR):
- A comprehensive project planning document detailing technical feasibility, financial viability, environmental impacts, and implementation plans.
- Zoo Safari Projects:
- Tourism-oriented wildlife parks where animals roam freely in large enclosures and visitors observe them via guided vehicles.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Ecological Importance of the Aravalli Range
- The Aravalli hills play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance in northwestern India.
- They help check desertification, regulate microclimate, and protect biodiversity.
- The region also supports wildlife corridors and forest ecosystems.
- Threats to the Aravalli Ecosystem
- Illegal mining and quarrying have caused large-scale environmental degradation.
- Rapid urbanization around Delhi–NCR has led to deforestation and land conversion.
- Infrastructure projects such as roads, tourism facilities, and real estate developments threaten fragile ecosystems.
- Role of the Judiciary in Environmental Governance
- The Supreme Court has played an active role in environmental protection through Public Interest Litigations (PILs).
- Judicial interventions ensure implementation of environmental laws and sustainable development principles.
- Importance of Scientific Environmental Assessment
- Decisions involving fragile ecosystems require expert-based evaluation and long-term ecological studies.
- Holistic assessment across state boundaries is essential for landscape-level conservation.
- Way Forward
- Strengthen inter-state coordination for Aravalli conservation.
- Implement strict monitoring against illegal mining and encroachments.
- Promote scientific land-use planning and sustainable tourism practices.
- Encourage restoration of degraded forest areas through afforestation and ecological rehabilitation.
UPSC Relevance:
• GS Paper 3 – Environment & Ecology: Conservation of fragile ecosystems and sustainable development.
• GS Paper 2 – Polity: Judicial intervention and environmental governance.
• Prelims: Aravalli Range, Central Empowered Committee (CEC).