For the second year running, a tourism festival organized by the Rajasthan tourism department at the iconic Sambhar Lake has ignited a fierce controversy, drawing sharp criticism from environmentalists and legal experts. The event, held in the core area of the internationally protected wetland, is accused of blatantly flouting laws designed to safeguard this critical habitat for migratory birds.
Festival Activities Clash with Wildlife Protection
The festival featured a range of high-impact aerial activities, including paragliding, paramotoring, parasailing, hot air ballooning, and fancy kite flying. These events took place within the Ramsar Site, a designation of global importance for wetland conservation. Alarmingly, these activities proceeded despite existing restrictions imposed by the forest department, which had previously banned drone usage over the lake to prevent wildlife disturbance.
Ecological Damage During Sensitive Breeding Period
Conservationists have raised an urgent alarm, warning of potential irreversible harm to the lake's fragile ecosystem. The timing of the festival coincides with a sensitive period for bird species, including flamingos, which are in their breeding and courtship season.
Tapeshwar Singh Bhati, an environmental lawyer, explained the severe impact: "This is the courtship period for flamingos. They perform elaborate dances early in the morning. Due to constant disturbance, the birds are repeatedly forced to take flight and abandon the area."
Dr Abid Ali Khan, who legally challenged the festival in 2023, reported observable changes in bird behavior. He noted that bird flocks had retreated deeper into the wetlands since the festivities began. "What was once a living soundscape of birds and water was overtaken by loudspeakers, temporary stages, and image-driven spectacles," he stated. "Sambhar Lake was never meant to be a playground for aerial stunts or a social media backdrop."
Legal Scrutiny and Global Conservation Standards
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has already intervened in the matter. In a previous order, it directed the state chief secretary to address the grievance in coordination with key authorities, including the state wetland authority, the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), the district magistrate, and the regional office of the Union environment ministry in Jaipur.
The NGT's order explicitly stated, "If it is found that the festival will adversely impact the birds or the natural habitat of the lake, the festivities may be shifted to another location."
Highlighting international conservation practices, ornithologist Dr Dau Lal Bohra emphasized the mismatch between the festival and genuine eco-tourism. "Eco-tourism is about safeguarding habitats, not exploiting them. Protected wetlands worldwide enforce strict noise limits and complete aerial exclusion zones extending 500 metres from bird roosting sites," he said.
The controversy underscores a growing conflict between tourism promotion and environmental stewardship in ecologically sensitive zones. Despite multiple attempts, Praveen Gupta, the additional chief secretary for tourism, was unavailable for comment on the allegations.
