3 weeks ago
Activists seek golden-goose-like protection for Aravalli mountain range
The Aravalli is a very old mountain range in India, about two billion years old.
Some people want to dig into it to find minerals.
Environmental activists say this would hurt nature and the people who depend on the mountains.
They say the mountains are like a goose that lays golden eggs — we should not harm something that gives us so much.
A man named Girdhari Singh Bafna wants the government to ban mining in the Aravalli completely.
He sent his ideas to a special committee chosen by the Supreme Court.
The committee visited Jaipur to study the mountains and will tell the Supreme Court what it thinks next month.
Other activists, including Dr Rajendra Singh, agree with Bafna.
They worry that the mountains are only being judged by their size, not their real value.
If needed, they plan to launch a big public campaign to protect the Aravalli.
Environmental activists urged the government to protect the Aravalli mountain range by banning mining activities, comparing it to the proverbial golden goose.
Girdhari Singh Bafna, secretary of Bharat Seva Sansthan and former Advocate General of Rajasthan, emailed his views to the Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee.
Bafna also sent the committee a draft of the Indian Mountains Preservation, Conservation and Protection Act prepared by activists and environmentalists.
"Waterman of India" Dr Rajendra Singh and geologist Professor K L Srivastava endorsed Bafna's concerns about the restrictive definition of the Aravalli adopted by the Supreme Court ruling about a year ago.
The committee visited Jaipur, Rajasthan, this week and is due to report to the Supreme Court next month; activists plan a mass-awareness campaign and possibly a nationwide movement.
- Who
- Environmental activists Girdhari Singh Bafna, Dr Rajendra Singh and Professor K L Srivastava, along with the Supreme Court-appointed five-member High-Powered Committee.
- What
- A plea to the government to protect and conserve the Aravalli mountain range by banning mining activities at all costs, and to treat it as a living entity.
- Where
- India, focused on Rajasthan, including Jaipur, where the High-Powered Committee conducted its visit.
- When
- Around the committee's visit to Jaipur this week; following a Supreme Court ruling about a year ago, with the committee's report due next month.
- Why
- Activists say defining the Aravalli only by its length, height and width, as a mineral treasure trove, ignores its vast natural, environmental, social and cultural value for current and future generations.
Key facts
- Mountain range
- Aravalli
- Age of range
- About two billion years
- Lead activist
- Girdhari Singh Bafna, Secretary of Bharat Seva Sansthan
- Bafna's former office
- Advocate General of Rajasthan
- Committee
- Five-member High-Powered Committee appointed by the Supreme Court
- Committee visit
- Jaipur, Rajasthan, this week
- Report deadline
- Next month to the Supreme Court
- Draft law
- Indian Mountains Preservation, Conservation and Protection Act
Quotes
Girdhari Singh Bafna
Former Advocate General of Rajasthan and Secretary of Bharat Seva Sansthan
“"Courts as well as those occupying positions of power have viewed the Aravalli merely as a mountain range and a treasure trove of minerals, and this has given rise to a very restrictive and incomplete definition of this oldest range."”
thestatesman.com
“"Even if the definers do not want to be kind enough to it, let them treat the ‘life‑giver and life‑saver Aravalli’ at least on a par with the proverbial goose."”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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