9 months ago
Sonia Gandhi accuses Modi government of environmental neglect
Sonia Gandhi, a leader from the Congress party, has accused the Modi government of not caring enough about the environment.
She says the government has made changes to laws that make it easier to harm nature, like the Aravalli hills.
These hills are important because they help stop deserts from spreading and protect forts and spiritual places.
Gandhi also mentioned that the air in Delhi is very polluted, and the water in some places has dangerous levels of a chemical called uranium.
She thinks the government should stop these harmful policies and start protecting the environment instead.
She wants the government to withdraw the changes it made to the Forest (Conservation) Act and other rules that she says are hurting the environment and the people who live there.
Sonia Gandhi accuses the Modi government of signing a 'death warrant' for the Aravalli hills by allowing mining in areas below 100 meters elevation.
She demands the withdrawal of amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and the Forest Conservation Rules (2022).
Gandhi highlights the environmental crisis in India, including air pollution in Delhi and uranium contamination in groundwater.
She criticizes the government for policies like the EIA notification 2020 and CRZ notification 2018, which she says weaken environmental protections.
Gandhi calls for a new environmental deal, including halting deforestation and cracking down on illegal mining.
- Who
- Sonia Gandhi, Congress parliamentary party chairperson
- What
- Accusations of environmental neglect and policy changes harming the Aravalli hills and other ecological sensitive areas
- Where
- India, focusing on the Aravalli range and national policies
- When
- December 3, 2024
- Why
- Alleged government policies encouraging reckless exploitation of natural resources and weakening environmental regulations
Sonia Gandhi's Criticism
Modi Government's Actions
Environmental Protection
Sonia Gandhi's Criticism
Gandhi accuses the Modi government of weakening environmental protections and encouraging reckless exploitation of natural resources.
Modi Government's Actions
The Modi government has made amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and the Forest Conservation Rules (2022), which Gandhi claims are harmful to the environment.
Mining in Aravalli Hills
Sonia Gandhi's Criticism
Gandhi argues that allowing mining in the Aravalli hills below 100 meters elevation is an open invitation for illegal mining and will lead to the destruction of 90% of the range.
Modi Government's Actions
The government's policy allows mining in areas below 100 meters elevation, which Gandhi sees as a threat to the Aravalli hills.
Public Health and Pollution
Sonia Gandhi's Criticism
Gandhi highlights the severe air pollution in Delhi and uranium contamination in groundwater, linking these issues to the government's environmental policies.
Modi Government's Actions
The government's policies, such as the EIA notification 2020 and CRZ notification 2018, are criticized for weakening environmental regulations and exacerbating public health issues.
Key facts
- Aravalli Range
- A hill range spanning Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana
- Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
- Amended by the Modi government
- Forest Conservation Rules (2022)
- Criticized for being anti-Adivasi
- Uranium contamination
- 13-15% of Delhi's groundwater samples exceed safe limits
- Annual pollution deaths
- Up to 34,000 in 10 cities
- Tiger reserves evictions
- 65,000 families targeted for eviction
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification 2020
- Alleged to dilute public hearings and reduce compliance
Quotes
Sonia Gandhi
President of the Indian National Congress
“This is a death warrant for the hills.”
NDTV
Jairam Ramesh
Congress party leader and former environment minister
“This is bizarre and will have very grave environmental and public health consequences. It calls for an immediate review.”
NDTV
Sources
Modi govt has ‘nearly signed death warrant’ for Aravalli hills: Sonia Gandhi
Explained: Supreme Court's 100-Metre Rule, Mining Ban And What's Next For Aravallis
Rahul Gandhi highlights Modi govt’s environmental neglect as Sonia Gandhi warns against Aravalli Mining Policy
