The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is reportedly preparing plans to exploit the ancient Aravalli mountain range in northwestern India, raising concerns about environmental degradation. Amid heightened controversy, the Supreme Court has initiated a suo motu case regarding this matter, with hearings scheduled to take place on Monday before Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that lands with an elevation of 100 meters or more in the Aravalli range will be fully protected. This classification implies that hills below this height will not be protected, a significant concern given that approximately 90% of the Aravalli’s hills are under 100 meters tall. It’s worth mentioning that this definition was determined by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and has received approval from the Supreme Court.
Following this ruling, a wave of backlash ensued. Residents of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, along with environmentalists, expressed their outrage, accusing the Modi administration of facilitating mining in the Aravalli region, which holds extensive reserves of coal and rocks.
There are allegations that land previously considered part of the Aravalli mountain range will no longer be secure, leaving 90% of it unprotected. Consequently, mining activities are expected to continue across the entire Aravalli range, which stretches through Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi.
In response to the mounting pressure, the central government issued a significant directive last Wednesday. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change instructed all involved states to impose a complete ban on granting new mining leases in the Aravalli region.
The significance of the Aravalli mountains in India cannot be overstated. They are not just a source of biodiversity but also a critical water source for regions extending from Haryana to Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi. Rivers like Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni originate from these mountains. Loss of these mountains would have devastating impacts on the environmental ecosystem, potentially expanding the Thar Desert into Rajasthan. Without the Aravalli range, even Delhi would be at risk of becoming sand-covered.
Environmentalists argue that if the Aravalli falls into the hands of corporate interests focused on mining and real estate, 90% of the protective measures currently in place will be dismantled. In addition to severe pollution, biodiversity will face annihilation, groundwater recharge will diminish, and water scarcity will reach alarming levels.
Original Source: https://assam.nenow.in/supreme-court-takes-suo-motu-cognisance-of-aravalli-range-as-hearing-on-dec-29/
Category: অসম,উত্তৰ-পূব,দেশ,পৰিবেশ,শীর্ষ সংবাদ
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Publish Date: 2025-12-28 12:33:00
