Soon, Gurgaon may have a 15-km Leopard park with jungle safari facility

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Aravalis from Bandhwari landfill to Damdama lake in Gurgaon has been unveiled, including the establishment of a leopard park in Behrampur village. As per a TOI report, the project, which is a collaboration between the forest department, district administration, GMDA, and MCG, aims to create a 15km jungle trail between the two points.

This area is prone to encroachment by private landowners who violate construction regulations. The leopard park, inspired by the Jhalana Leopard Safari Park in Jaipur, is expected to reduce incidents of leopards straying into the city.

The GMDA has announced that a study will soon begin to determine the feasibility of a leopard safari in the park.

The need for such an initiative has become evident due to several instances of human-wildlife conflict in recent years, including the lynching of a leopard in Mandawar in 2016 and hit-and-run accidents that resulted in the deaths of 12 leopards over a 15-year period. By March next year, an organization will be commissioned to conduct a study of the Aravalis, and the findings will be submitted to the Aravali Rejuvenation Board for further action.

This board, led by the deputy commissioner, is responsible for protecting the Aravali hills from mining and environmental degradation.

The leopard conservation zone will feature watering holes and solar pumps for water supply, as well as camera traps and grasslands with indigenous species. The development of a watchtower and interpretation center is also being considered.

GMDA officials plan to take representatives from various government departments and development authorities on a tour of the Jhalana leopard park in November to gain insights for the Gurgaon project. The GMDA aims to promote regulated