Protests continue in Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and the national capital, Delhi, over the Aravalli Hills. Meanwhile, the Congress party on Wednesday accused the central government of misleading the public on the Aravalli issue. The Congress questioned why the government is promoting a completely incorrect definition of the hills. On Wednesday, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned the central government's intentions on the social media platform X, stating that the new definition of the Aravallis being adopted has been opposed by leading institutions in the country.
Congress's Allegation: Expert Opinions Ignored
Jairam Ramesh said that this new definition of the Aravallis has already been opposed by the Forest Survey of India, the Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee, and the Supreme Court's amicus curiae. Despite this, the government is adamant about pushing this definition forward. The Congress alleges that this move, ignoring the objections of expert institutions, could prove to be a serious threat to the environment.
Congress's Direct Question
The Congress has questioned why the government is insisting on redefining the Aravallis and in whose interest this change is being made. The party says that the Aravallis are India's invaluable natural heritage and any compromise on their conservation would be playing with the future of the country. Currently, both the political conflict and environmental concerns surrounding the new definition of the Aravallis are deepening, indicating that this issue could become a major political controversy in the coming days.
Deep Impact on the Environment
Environmental experts say that the Aravalli hills are not limited to just the high peaks, but their lower reaches and surrounding areas also play a crucial role. These areas are essential for groundwater recharge, biodiversity conservation, maintaining climate balance, and soil stability. According to experts, if these areas are excluded from legal protection, the water scarcity and pollution problems in North India could become even more severe.
Central Government's Stand
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav has stated that deliberate misinformation is being spread regarding the Supreme Court's decision on the Aravallis. He clarified that the government is continuously working to protect the country's oldest mountain range and remains committed to a policy that balances both the environment and the economy. He said, "The court has clearly stated that the Aravalli range, which stretches across Delhi, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, should be protected based on scientific assessment." The minister said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the government has always promoted a green Aravalli, and this decision supports the government's conservation policy. The government claims that more than 90 percent of the Aravalli region will remain protected and that there will be no relaxation of mining regulations.
What is the new definition of the Aravalli range?
According to the government's new definition, an area will be considered part of the Aravalli hills only if its elevation is at least 100 meters higher than the surrounding land. The Aravalli range has been defined as a group of two or more hills located within a 500-meter radius of each other. Experts and environmental activists have objected to this definition. They say that this could exclude many important parts of the Aravalli range, such as slopes, small hills, foothills, and groundwater recharge areas, from legal protection, potentially causing serious environmental damage.
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