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New Delhi: Amid the growing clamour of "Save Aravalli", the Congress party is planning to intensify its ground outreach over the issue. Sources have indicated
Times Now that the party is considering a yatra where the 'High Command' can also participate to put pressure upon the central government. The issue is expected to be taken up in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting scheduled for tomorrow, where a detailed roadmap is going to be discussed and finalised. Some party leaders are of the view that Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi should lead the 'Save Aravalli' as there is an anguish amongst people over this entire matter and Congress party should give out this message that it is standing with the people of this country.
Given that the Aravalli range spreads across four states, sources say the proposed yatra route may be planned to cover multiple regions linked to the hills.
It is being further revealed that a recent meeting between former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress media department chief Pawan Khera has already taken place to chalk out the initial strategy for the movement.
On Friday, the student organisation of Congress, NSUI also took out a padyatra in Rajasthan, in which party's General Secretary Sachin Pilot participated.
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Speaking to media, Pilot attacked the BJP government, saying, "Today, across India, people are discussing this, and people are deeply concerned about who is deliberately putting at risk the mountain range that has served as a protective shield for millions since time immemorial. Either the government is helpless or it lacks intent."
'Congress Rattled Because...': Environment Minister on Aravalli Issue
Earlier on Thursday, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav rejected allegations levelled by the Congress that more than 90 per cent of the Aravallis will not be protected under the redefinition of the hills, saying the party is "rattled" because the government has issued a total ban on mining in the Aravallis.
Why There is Outrage Over New Definition of Aravalli Range
Under the new definition, an "Aravalli Hill" is a landform with an elevation of at least 100 metres above its local surrounding terrain and an "Aravalli Range" is a cluster of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other.
The new definition, approved by the Supreme Court on the recommendation of the Environment Ministry, "aims to curb illegal mining" and allow "sustainable mining legally", and that too only after a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), he said.
However, critics, including environmentalists and some scientists, argue that many ecologically important parts of the Aravalli system do not meet the 100-metre threshold (e.g., low ridges, slopes, foothills and recharge areas), yet are important for groundwater recharge, biodiversity support, climate moderation and soil stability.
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After a row over the redefinition of the Aravallis, the Centre on Wednesday issued directions to states for a complete ban on granting new mining leases within the mountain range.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has also directed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education to identify additional areas and zones in the entire Aravallis where mining should be prohibited over and above the areas already prohibited for mining by the Centre.
With inputs from PTI
