Do not mess with the Aravallis

Conservation should be the overriding priority in the management of the mountain range

- 

That the Aravallis is under threat is an understatement. Mining (mostly illegal) and real estate development (some illegal) have encroached on this rugged landscape that acts as a natural wall against desertification and offers protection against pollution in the NCR. Which is why the move by a central panel— endorsed by the Supreme Court in a November 20 order—to define the Aravallis in terms of elevation (100 metres and above from local relief or ground level) has led to protests in multiple states over fears of destruction of one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges. Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav has justified the definition on the ground that itis “applicable only for mining purposes”; the Centre claims the definition applies to only 0.19% of the Aravallis and the exception for mining is controlled