Fri Jul 18 20:01:57 UTC 2025: **Headline: Haryana to Begin First Phase of Ambitious Aravali Jungle Safari Project Amidst Controversy**
**GURUGRAM, July 19, 2025** – Work on the first phase of the ambitious 10,000-acre jungle safari in the Aravali mountain range will begin soon, according to Haryana Forest and Wildlife Minister Rao Narbir Singh. The Minister made the announcement after meetings with Union Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav in Delhi, where the project was discussed.
The first phase will develop 2,500 acres of the total area, aiming to establish a “green and sustainable environment” in the National Capital Region. The project, encompassing both Gurugram and Nuh districts, is envisioned to boost green tourism and wildlife conservation efforts.
To ensure world-class facilities and construction, Minister Singh, along with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Mr. Lal, recently visited the ‘Vantara’ Jungle Safari in Jamnagar, Gujarat. This visit provided valuable insights into the technical, structural, and conservation aspects of the project.
However, the project has faced significant opposition. A group of 37 retired Indian Forest Service officers penned a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year, demanding the project’s cancellation. They argue that the safari’s primary focus is increasing tourist numbers rather than prioritizing the conservation of the delicate Aravali ecosystem.
The project was a key promise of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in last year’s elections, raising concerns about political motivations overriding environmental considerations. The commencement of the first phase will likely reignite the debate surrounding the project’s true impact on the Aravali range.
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