Aravalli Safari Park

Context: Aravalli safari park project proposed by Haryana Chief Minister which will affect the ecosystem of Aravallis region.

• In April 2022, Chief Minister of Haryana proposed 10,000-acre Aravalli safari park project
• As per Aravalli Bachao Citizens, this will affect the natural habitats, increase waste generation and destroy the region’s fragile ecosystem.

About Aravalli Mountain range:

• It is located in the north-western part of India.
• It is one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world.
• It is divided into two sections:
  • The Sambhar-Sirohi ranges: It is taller and includes Guru Peak on Mount Abu (the highest peak in the Aravalli Range).
  • The Sambhar-Khetri ranges: It consisting of three ridges that are discontinuous.
• Several rivers are originated from Aravalli range such as the Banas, Luni, Sakhi, and Sabarma
• It’s passes through states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi.
• Its average height is from 600 to 900 m.

Significance of Aravalli Mountain range:

• They act as a barrier to cloud to shift eastwards to the lower Himalayas thus contributing to the climate of north India as well.
• Protects the plains from the effect of westerly flowing from the Central Asia region.
• Its responsible for adequate monsoon rainfall and therefore sustaining a plethora of diverse flora fauna, rich biodiversity, livelihood and agriculture in the constituent states.
• A greener Aravalli acts as a groundwater recharge for the region facing acute water scarcity.
• It plays a major role in affecting the local climate and directing economic activities, leveraging geographical and environmental resources and biodiversity profiles of the region.

The key concerns regarding the proposed project:

• Increase in human footfall and vehicular traffic will affect fauna of the area;
• It will disturb the aquifers under the Aravalli hills that are critical reserves for the water-starved districts;
• The location of safari park is in water-scarce region and
• Location of Aravalli safari park project falls under the category of ‘forest’ according to orders by the Supreme Court and protected under the Forest Conservation Act.

Source: DownToEarth

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) Consider the following pairs:

Peak                                          Mountains

1. Namcha Barwa                   Garhwal Himalaya
2. Nanda Devi                         Kumaon Himalaya
3. Nokrek                                 Sikkim Himalaya

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3
4. 3 only

Q.2) “If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys.” Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement?

1. The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff, subsoil percolation and evaporation.
2. Algae form the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, reptiles and mammals thrive.
3. 58 15 Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and soil stabilization.
4. Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.