The petition
Shri A. Raja
Hon’ble Minister for Environment & Forests.
Government of India
Paryavaran Bhawan. CGO Complex,
Lodhi Road. New Delhi 110003.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Dear Sir,
We are members of the delhibird group, which is a group of more than 1500 bird lovers. We have heard of a proposed SEZ to be set up by Reliance Industries near the Sultanpur National Park. We are approaching you with our concerns at this very early stage itself, as it would be prudent to consider the environmental and conservation impact of the SEZ before the proposal gets concretized further. Once the concerned parties have invested money, it may be considered too late to stop / modify the project plan (as has unfortunately been ruled in the recent cases involving the Malls at Vasant Kunj and Saket) even though the consequences of this proposed SEZ would be disastrous for the National Park.
As you may be aware, the Sultanpur jheel has been attracting birds for several centuries. In 1969, at the Conference of the International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural resources in New Delhi, that the potential of this priceless wetland in Haryana was highlighted in official quarters. Thus, in April 1971, the jheel and its immediate precincts (an area of 1.21 square kilometres) were accorded Sanctuary status under Section 8 of the Punjab Wildlife Preservation Act of 1959.
Sultanpur has since been under the control of the Haryana Forest Department, and was notified as National Park in July 1991, under Section 35 of the Wildlife Protection Act. Simultaneously, the area was increased to 1.42 square kilometres. It should be noted that a buffer zone of 136 square kilometres has been declared around the jheel (i.e. a circle of radius 8 kilometre), which has been ‘closed’ under the Punjab New Capital (Periphery) Control Act, 1952.
This National Park is perhaps one of the most remarkable wetlands of Northern India. Its importance for bird life is perhaps next only to the Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur. Within the tiny area of 142 hectares, more than 320 bird species have been recorded, notable among which are the Black-necked Stork, Sarus Crane, Osprey, Great White Pelican, Bar-headed and Greylag Geese, Painted Snipe, Bonelli's Eagle, Collared Scops Owl, Bristled Grassbird, Common Crane, Paradise Flycatcher, Bluethroat, Black throated Thrush, Golden Oriole, Buntings, Wagtails, Stolickza's Bushchat, Cream-coloured Courser, Lesser Kestrel, and scores of other ducks and waders. It is a stopover point for migratory birds on their way further south in winter as also for those later returning home north in the spring. Several resident species of wetland and terrestrial birds nest here during the spring, summer, and the monsoon. Over 100 species of birds breed in the Park and on the dry flats just south of the Park. Some of the most important breeding birds in and around the Sultanpur National Park are the endangered Sarus Crane, Indian Courser (for which this is the only breeding site in Haryana), Yellow-Wattled Lapwing, Painted Stork, several species of Quails, Grey and Black Francolins, Bristled Grassbird, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Black-headed Ibises and several other.
The Park also offers a safe refuge for many species of mammals (Nilgai, Jackal, Indian Fox, Jungle Cat, Small Indian Mongoose, Flapshell Turtle), reptiles (Monitor Lizard, Checkered Keelback), amphibians, fish and insects. Furthermore, the jheel acts as a sponge, a natural flood-control system for the area. Excess water from the surrounding areas drains into this depression, preventing water-logging in the nearby fields. This dramatically diverse wetland provides unparalleled opportunities for the ecologist and the naturalist to extend the frontiers of knowledge.
But, with great dismay we learn that Reliance Industries Limited and the HSIDC have set up a joint venture to develop a Special Economic Zone in Gurgaon-Jhajjar Districts, in the area directly adjoining the Sultanpur National Park. We believe that a cargo airport is to be built next to the Park, as also residential and commercial areas, and warehouses and recreational areas. (Source of information: Map published on the HSIDC website). Not only will these destroy the nature of the notified buffer area and the catchment area of the lake, but also pose a grave danger to the Park and its unique flocks of migrating birds.
Sir, we plead with you to act now to save this extra-ordinary haven of migratory birds, which is not only the pride of Haryana or North India, but also all of India. We request you to ensure that all activities and discussions with regard to this SEZ be put on hold until a proper Environmental Impact Assessment is carried out. If possible, the proposed SEZ may be moved to an area that is less ecologically sensitive than near the Sultanpur National Park. However, if the SEZ cannot be moved away, it may please be borne in mind that there is a 10-15 km range that is essential to be kept as a buffer for the park to remain a haven for migratory birds, and also so that the adjoining areas which are critical breeding grounds for several important species remain undisturbed. Thus, the SEZ layout may be mapped after taking cognizance of this fact.
We look forward to your wise and sagacious intervention in this matter. Slowly but surely, we are robbing ourselves of the natural wealth of our nation, and it is only custodians like you who can ward off this reckless and myopic approach to ‘development’.
Thanking you, and with great expectations,
Yours truly
delhibird
The Northern India Bird Network
Sign the petition
Fields marked * are required.