Amphitheatre in Aravali park flouts Forest Act, environmentalists tell MCG

GURUGRAM: A group of environmentalists have written a letter to the forest minister and MCG, demanding demolition of the amphitheatre inside Aravali Biodiversity Park.
The letter states that sound and light created during events hosted at the amphitheatre violate the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980 and Aravalis Notification 1992, as the park lies in an ecologically sensitive area. “It’s a blatant violation of the FCA, as the land upon which the park was established has pockets demarcated as eco-sensitive gair mumkin pahar, bhood, behed, etc. The floodlights, loud noises, gensets and human activity jeopardise the park’s ecosystem, its flora and fauna. Also, not only does the concrete amphitheatre violate environmental laws, it also severely compromises the area’s groundwater recharging capacity,” states the letter (a copy is with TOI).

“While there’s no doubt converting [what was] a degraded barren patch into the lush green scrub forest was a job well done, we want authorities to look at violations taking place there today. We’ve raised the issue with MCG earlier, but in vain. This time, we’ll take legal action if it fails to take remedial action,” said Sharmila Kaushik, a member of the group who raised the issue.

“The park has evolved as a city forest and is now an important bird habitat. Given its high biodiversity, any event, even for a few hours, should be reviewed for its possible impact on wildlife. The road proposed by NHAI will also be disastrous for wildlife, as it will create 24x7 pollution and drive out flora and fauna,” said ecologist Vijay Dhasmana. Latika Thukral of NGO iamgurgaon agreed, saying, “While the amphitheatre hosts only a couple of events a year, a study can be carried out to analyse their impact on the park’s wildlife. MCG can then take a call.”

Performers at past events in the park agreed there should be an environmental impact study. “If these events disturb wildlife, they shouldn’t be organised in it. Environment is more important,” said Sufi singer Dhruv Sangari, who has performed at the park.

MCG commissioner Yashpal Yadav told TOI, “We’ve received the letter. We’d prefer not to organise any activities that disturb wildlife or violate environmental norms, but we’ll have to see if they actually violate the provisions first.”

Every year, 2-3 events, including Sufi nights and cultural festivals, are organised inside the 380acre-park, which was once a mining and garbage dump. When it was given to iamgurgaon for maintenance in 2011, the NGO got corporate and citizen groups to plant over 1.15 lakh saplings of about 110 native species. It’s estimated that today, there are over 183 species of birds, 38 of butterflies and many small animals, making the park an important destination for birders, researchers and nature lovers.