In a significant move to protect Rajasthan's ecological heritage, the state's Leader of Opposition, Tikaram Jully, has announced a massive public awareness campaign across Rajasthan aimed at safeguarding the Aravalli mountain range. The campaign is set to kick off from Alwar district on December 27.
Congress Vows to 'Leave No Stone Unturned' for Aravalli Mata
Addressing a press conference at the foothills of Kati Ghati Pahadi, Jully launched a sharp critique against both the Central and the state governments. He accused them of posing a severe threat to the ancient Aravallis through unchecked mining activities. Standing near the hills, Jully passionately vowed that the Congress party, alongside the public, would "leave no stone unturned" to protect what he referred to as "Aravalli Mata." He emphasised the party's unwavering commitment to opposing the destruction of the range and promised to extend the conservation campaign to every corner of Rajasthan.
Jully pointed towards the hills, highlighting the stark and visible contrast between conserved areas and those ravaged by mining. This visual evidence, he argued, underscored the urgent and critical importance of conservation efforts.
Political Sparring Over Mining Ban and Motives
The announcement comes amidst a heated political debate over the protection of the Aravallis. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot took to social media platform 'X' to accuse the central government of "headline management." He argued that the recent ban on new mining leases in the Aravalli range is merely a compliance with an existing Supreme Court order and not a novel initiative by the Centre. Gehlot suggested that the government is misleading the public by promoting this court-mandated action as its own fresh policy.
Jully directly challenged Alwar MP and Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, questioning the motives behind what he perceives as risking "Aravalli Mata." He issued a warning about the potential threats to numerous religious and cultural sites nestled within the region if mining continues unabated.
Controversial Criteria and a Call for Action
Jully raised a major technical concern regarding the method of defining the Aravalli range. He criticised the approach of excluding hills based on their height, claiming that if only hills above 100 meters are considered part of the Aravallis, then a mere 1% of the range would be protected. This, he alleged, could potentially open up a staggering 90% of the hills for destructive mining activities.
Furthermore, Jully questioned the actions of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma since he assumed office. He pointed out that despite promises to protect the Aravallis, there appears to be a lack of concrete steps or visible action from the state government to translate those assurances into reality. The newly announced public campaign positions the Congress as the primary opposition force rallying public sentiment against environmental degradation in the ecologically fragile Aravalli region.
