After the decision of the Supreme Court, a debate has erupted regarding the Aravalli hills. Jagran Graphics
Digital Desk, New Delhi. A recent decision of the Supreme Court has sparked a debate among environmentalists and the general public regarding the Aravalli Hills. This decision is being called the '100-meter decision', in which it has been made clear that hills less than 100 meters high in the Aravalli region cannot automatically be classified as 'forest'.
People say that this decision can weaken the security of Aravali, while some people consider it a step towards legal clarity. The Aravalis, which act as the last natural barrier in northern India, prevent dust from the Thar Desert from reaching Delhi and play a vital role in maintaining groundwater levels.
The court has said in its decision that the decision to declare a land as forest will be taken on the basis of its revenue records, government notification and actual physical condition and not just on the basis of height or geographical location. Meaning, not every Aravali hill will be considered as forest land.
After this decision, state governments and local administration have got more rights in deciding the nature of land. Areas hitherto considered 'forest like areas' may be declared revenue land or non-forest areas.
What did the Supreme Court actually say?
The Supreme Court has made it clear that hills less than 100 meters high in the Aravalli region, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world and dating back 2.5 billion years, will not automatically be considered 'forest'. This means that a hill cannot be declared forest land just because it is in the Aravalli range.
The court said that the classification of each piece of land will be decided on the basis of records, notifications and ground reality and not just on the basis of its height.
Threat to environment or path to development?
The main reason for the controversy that arose after the decision is that it could pave the way for gradual weakening of Aravali. The danger lies not in the decision, but in its misuse. If land records are changed, environmental impact assessments are ignored or relaxed in the name of development, Delhi-NCR's air could become more poisonous, groundwater levels could go down further and summers could become more brutal.
Environmental protectors and local villagers campaigning to 'Save Aravali'. social media
Let us tell you that the spread of Aravalli is about 800 kilometers from Gujarat to Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi. In Haryana and Rajasthan, a large part of it is registered as revenue land, which was receiving protection till now. After the decision, state governments will decide which land is forest and which is not. This is creating fear among people about weakening of protection.
What will happen to the dust barrier?
Aravali is a natural dust barrier for NCR. If mining or deforestation increases here, there will be a sharp increase in pollutant particles like PM10 and PM2.5 and the already poor AQI will worsen further.
According to studies, dust blown from bare parts of the Aravalis is a major contributor to winter smog. The pollution problem in Delhi-NCR is already serious, and this decision may complicate it further. Serious threat to water and climate: The rocks of Aravalli trap rain water and slowly seep it into groundwater.
Haryana-Rajasthan belt is already facing water crisis. If the Aravalis weaken, borewells will go deeper and tubewells will dry up faster. Also, Aravali is called the natural cooling system of NCR. Increased harvesting will intensify the 'urban heat island effect' and push summer temperatures higher.
“Save Aravalli” campaign is just a show!
Some people believe that this “Save Aravali” campaign is just a show of some people. His argument is that it won't make any difference. People have already caused a lot of damage to the Aravali range in the last three-four decades, so what difference will it make now?
The narrative of Save Aravalli that is being spread on social media today is less of a movement to save Aravali and more of a hypocritical moral drama…Aravalli is not a hill born yesterday which suddenly needs saving today…it suffered the most damage in the last three-four decades when… pic.twitter.com/mRtgEcZXg1
People believe that this decision is not a guarantee of deforestation, but it definitely opens a door. Now everything will depend on the policy and intentions of the state governments.
Please write to save Aravali..!! Must understand the debt and duty. Write for your rights and rights from 7 o'clock..!!
The court has clarified the rules, but how they will be applied depends on the balance of development and conservation. Environmental activists are appealing to keep an eye on this decision under the 'Save Aravali' campaign, so that the future of Aravali remains safe not in the files but in the decisions taken on the ground.
Experts told about ecological dangers
It is noteworthy that conservation of Aravali is important not only for the environment, but also for millions of lives of Delhi-NCR. Governments will now have to prove whether this decision will bring clarity or crisis.
Save Aravali #save_arawali_hills #arawalihills#arawali pic.twitter.com/hCt2Au9Js0
Also read: What is the new definition of Aravalli hills, approved by the Supreme Court; Why are experts worried?