Ashok Gehlot Urges Government to Reconsider New Aravalli Policy for Ecological Safety
Gehlot's Call for Action on Aravalli Conservation
Congress leader Ashok Gehlot has raised concerns about the new policy regarding the Aravalli range, labeling it a threat to the ecological future of North India. He urged the central government to rethink its stance on this matter during a statement made on Thursday.
The former Chief Minister of Rajasthan has shown his support for the 'Save Aravalli' campaign by changing his social media profile picture. He emphasized that this change is not merely cosmetic but serves as a symbolic protest against the new policy that dismisses hills under 100 meters in height as part of the Aravalli range.
In his statement, Gehlot expressed that the alterations in the conservation approach for the Aravalli have cast a significant doubt on the future of North India. He has also encouraged the public to join the movement by updating their profile pictures.
Gehlot articulated three major concerns, asserting that the Aravalli is not just an ordinary mountain range but a natural green barrier. It plays a crucial role in preventing the sands and hot winds of the Thar Desert from encroaching into the fertile plains of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
He warned that if smaller hills are opened up for mining, the desert could reach our doorsteps, leading to unpredictable increases in temperature.
According to Gehlot, these hills and their forests act as the 'lungs' for the National Capital Region (NCR) and surrounding cities, helping to mitigate dust storms and reduce pollution.
He expressed deep concern about the current severity of the situation with the Aravalli intact, questioning how dire it would become without it. He highlighted the Aravalli's role in water conservation, noting that its rocks help store rainwater underground, which is vital for groundwater reserves. The loss of these hills could lead to severe drinking water shortages, extinction of wildlife, and a collapse of the entire ecosystem.
Gehlot has appealed to both the central government and the Supreme Court to reconsider this policy for the sake of future generations. He insisted that the Aravalli should be evaluated based on its environmental contributions rather than arbitrary measurements like height.