An environmentalist in Bhilwara has issued a stark warning, stating that a recent Supreme Court decision regarding mining in the Aravalli hills could unleash natural destruction so severe that its consequences would haunt future generations for millions of years. The caution came from Babulal Jaju, the convenor of the Bhilwara chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), on Thursday.
Decision Taken Under Pressure?
Jaju expressed deep concern over the Supreme Court's ruling, which permits mining in sections of the Aravalli hills that are less than a thousand metres in height. He voiced a suspicion that the honorable court may have reached this decision hastily, potentially under pressure from powerful mining lobbies. He has called for an immediate reconsideration of the verdict by both the Union government and the Supreme Court itself. "If Aravalli survives, the future will survive; otherwise, destruction is certain," Jaju asserted, framing the survival of the range as synonymous with the survival of the region's ecological future.
The Aravalli's Role as North India's 'Green Wall'
Elaborating on the critical importance of the mountain range, Jaju described the Aravalli as an ancient geographical structure formed over millions of years. He emphasized its function as north India's vital 'green wall', a natural barrier that shields the region from the advancing desert, scorching hot winds, dust storms, and pervasive pollution. According to him, the hills, along with their forests, vegetation, water sources, wildlife, and birds, constitute a delicate and balanced ecosystem. "Weakening any part of this chain is like unbalancing the entire nature," he explained.
Dire Consequences of Unchecked Mining
Jaju outlined a catastrophic chain of events that would likely follow if the protection is lifted from smaller hills and gaps in the range. He predicted that rampant mining would commence immediately, leading to a series of interconnected disasters.
The first casualty would be groundwater recharge, severely deepening the already existing water crisis in the region. The unique geographical character of the entire area would be permanently destroyed. Furthermore, the Aravalli region serves as a crucial natural habitat and shelter for diverse wildlife and birds. The destruction of forests and vegetation would cause irreparable damage to this biodiversity, potentially driving numerous species to extinction.
Beyond biodiversity loss, Jaju warned of direct impacts on human life. The removal of this natural barrier would lead to an abnormal increase in temperature, more frequent and intense hot winds, heightened pollution levels, and radically unbalanced weather patterns. These changes, he stressed, pose a serious and direct threat to the daily life and well-being of people across north India.
