The political landscape in Rajasthan has been stirred by a fresh controversy surrounding the ecologically sensitive Aravalli range. The state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership has launched a sharp critique against former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's recent 'Save Aravalli' campaign. Simultaneously, the party has moved to provide assurances, stating that mining activities will not see an expansion under the state government's new definition of the hills.
BJP's Counter to Gehlot's Environmental Campaign
The conflict ignited after former CM and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot initiated a public campaign focused on the protection of the Aravalli hills. Gehlot's campaign, launched on June 5th to coincide with World Environment Day, aimed to gather public support against perceived threats to the mountain range. However, the ruling BJP has labeled this initiative as politically motivated and misleading.
State BJP president C.P. Joshi and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma have been at the forefront of this counter-offensive. They have accused Gehlot of hypocrisy, pointing out that his own government, during its tenure, had proposed a similar narrowing of the Aravalli's definition. The BJP leaders argue that the current government's actions are being deliberately misrepresented to create unnecessary alarm and gain political mileage.
The core of the BJP's assurance lies in a specific clarification: even with the proposed redefinition of what constitutes the Aravalli hills, there will be no permission granted for new mining leases in the areas that are excluded from this new definition. This statement is a direct attempt to quell fears that the policy change would open up protected forest land for unchecked industrial excavation.
The Crux of the Controversy: Redefining the Aravallis
The heart of this political and environmental debate is a draft notification issued by the Rajasthan government. This notification seeks to define the Aravalli hills specifically as areas consisting of the Aravalli mountain range and the hills specified in the Supreme Court's order dated May 11, 2009. This proposed definition is notably narrower than some previous interpretations.
The BJP's argument is that this move is intended to resolve long-standing ambiguities and streamline conservation efforts, not to enable mining. They contend that a clear legal definition is essential for effective protection and that the previous Congress government, under Gehlot, had also recognized this need. The party asserts that the current administration is merely following through on a process that was initiated earlier.
On the other side, Ashok Gehlot and the Congress have framed the draft notification as a grave threat. Their 'Save Aravalli' campaign warns that shrinking the legal definition could leave vast tracts of the ecologically fragile region vulnerable to real estate and mining interests, undermining decades of conservation work and court mandates.
Political Repercussions and Public Assurance
The exchange has escalated into a major political row, with both sides digging in. The BJP's strategy involves a two-pronged approach: aggressively challenging Gehlot's credibility on the issue while publicly committing to environmental protection. By assuring that "mining will not be allowed to expand" under the new framework, the party aims to neutralize a potent line of attack from the opposition and reassure concerned citizens and environmental groups.
This controversy touches on critical issues of governance, environmental policy, and political legacy in Rajasthan. The Aravalli range, a crucial natural barrier against desertification and a biodiversity hotspot, has been a focal point of legal battles and conservation campaigns for years. The state government's final decision on the draft notification and its implementation will be closely watched, as it will set a precedent for how development and ecology are balanced in the region.
The ongoing clash underscores the deep political divisions over natural resource management. As the BJP attempts to frame the debate around administrative clarity and continued protection, the Congress is positioning itself as the sole defender of the hills. The outcome of this narrative battle could have significant implications for public opinion and policy direction in Rajasthan.
