DDA PLANS TO DEVELOP SANJAY VAN INTO AN ECOTOURISM SPOT

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is planning to develop Sanjay Van in south Delhi, 783-acre green lung of the national capital, as an ecotourism destination with facilities for activities such as rock climbing, aerial trails (canopy tour or ziplines), forest safari, cycling, picnic and camping spots, among others. The landowning agency has invited expressions of interest (EOI) from companies interested in taking up the project.

Sanjay Van, which was carved out of the south-central Ridge near the iconic Qutub Minar in the 1970s, is maintained by the DDA.

DDA officials said the idea is to utilise the forest area for recreational purposes and environment awareness. Rajeev Kumar Tiwari, principal commissioner, DDA, said, “The idea is to create an economically self- sustainable system by making the best use of local resources and encouraging people interactions with nature. We have proposed a few activities such as aerial trails, cycling, forest safari etc., that we believe will play an important role in promoting ecotourism. Currently, only people from nearby areas visit the wooded space.”

Rock climbing, paragliding, aerial trails (canopy tours, ziplines, valley crossing, Burma bridge crossing), forest safari, leisure cycling, camping and picnic spots, star gazing, bird watching, guided nature tours, and flora and fauna observation trips are some of the activities proposed by the DDA.