Haryana has decided to hire two international firms to develop the world’s largest jungle safari park spread across 10,000 acres in the Aravalli range of Gurugram and Nuh districts near Delhi. “The proposed project will be jointly developed by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and the Haryana government. The Centre will also provide funds to the state for the project,” said Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar.
Currently, the largest curated safari park outside Africa is in Sharjah, which was opened in February this year in 2,000 acres.
The proposed Aravalli park will be five times the size, with a large herpetarium (a zoological exhibition space for reptiles and amphibians), aviary/bird park, four big cat zones, a large herbivore area, an exotic bird area, an underwater world, nature trails, tourism zones, botanical gardens, and biomes. According to sources, a foundation will be established to manage the project. The government has chosen two companies to develop the area.
Union Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, Khattar and a delegation recently visited the Sharjah Jungle Safari. Khattar said the NCR region of Haryana has immense potential to be developed into a jungle safari that can give a boost to the tourism sector but also provide job opportunities to the local people.
According to him, an international Expression of Interest (EOI) for the project was issued, and two companies with experience designing and operating safari facilities were shortlisted. These companies will now compete in a global competition to design, manage, and operate the park.