Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has strongly welcomed a recent Supreme Court order aimed at curbing illegal mining activities in the ecologically fragile Aravalli range. Hooda issued a stern warning about the destructive operations of the mining mafia, which he claims is encroaching upon and devastating the ancient hills.
Supreme Court Intervention Halts Destructive Mining
The Supreme Court, in a significant move, has directed the state governments of Haryana and Rajasthan to immediately stop all mining activities within the Aravalli range. This order came during a hearing on a plea concerning the protection of the forest area. The apex court's directive is seen as a crucial step to prevent further environmental degradation of this critical natural barrier.
Bhupinder Hooda expressed his full support for the judicial intervention. He stated that the mining mafia has been operating with impunity, causing irreversible damage to the hills. The former CM emphasized that the Aravallis are not just a collection of hills but a vital natural heritage and a shield against desertification for the entire North India, including the National Capital Region (NCR).
Hooda's Stern Warning on Ecological Impact
In his statement, Hooda painted a grim picture of the consequences of unchecked mining. He argued that the rampant excavation and tree felling are leading to a severe ecological crisis. The loss of forest cover is directly linked to declining groundwater levels and increasing air pollution, problems acutely felt in Delhi-NCR.
"The way mining is being done by the mining mafia by encroaching on the Aravalli hills, it will become a cause of disaster," Hooda cautioned. He highlighted that the Aravallis act as a natural green barrier, holding soil, conserving water, and purifying the air. Their destruction, he warned, would have catastrophic long-term effects on the region's climate, water security, and public health.
Political Accusations and Call for Action
The senior Congress leader did not mince words in criticizing the current political dispensation in Haryana. He accused the state government of failing to protect the Aravallis and, by extension, the well-being of its citizens. Hooda alleged that the administration has turned a blind eye to the illegal activities of the mining mafia, allowing the pillage to continue unabated.
He called for strict and immediate action in line with the Supreme Court's order. Hooda urged the authorities to implement the directive in letter and spirit, ensuring that all illegal mining operations are completely shut down. He stressed that protecting the Aravallis is not just an environmental issue but a fundamental duty for the survival of future generations.
The Supreme Court's order and Hooda's vocal support have brought the issue of Aravalli conservation back into the spotlight. Environmentalists and citizens' groups have long campaigned for the protection of this range, which is legally classified as forest in many areas but remains vulnerable to commercial exploitation. The coming days will test the resolve of the state machinery in enforcing the court's mandate and dismantling the networks behind the illegal mining trade.
