Jaipur: For the second consecutive year, Rajasthan tourism department’s festival at Sambhar Lake drew sharp scrutiny and vocal opposition, with conservationists alleging a flagrant violation of laws meant to protect the internationally significant wetland.Held in the core area of the Ramsar Site (a critical habitat for migratory birds), the event featured paragliding, paramotoring, parasailing, hot air ballooning, and fancy kite flying. These activities occurred despite the forest department’s own restrictions on drone use over the lake, citing wildlife disturbance.Environmentalists and legal experts sounded an urgent alarm, warning of irreversible damage to the lake’s fragile ecosystem during a sensitive breeding and courtship period for species like flamingos.“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,” said Tapeshwar Singh Bhati, an environmental lawyer.Dr Abid Ali Khan, who legally challenged the festival in 2023, reported 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 told TOI. “Sambhar Lake was never meant to be a playground for aerial stunts or a social media backdrop.”National Green Tribunal (NGT), responding to the issue in its previous order, directed the state chief secretary to address the grievance in coordination with the state wetland authority, the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), the district magistrate, and the regional office of the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change in Jaipur.NGT’s order 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 global conservation standards, ornithologist Dr Dau Lal Bohra said, “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.” Praveen Gupta, addl chief secretary (tourism), was unavailable for comment.
