NGT confirms illegal mining in Aravalli
Recently a report of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has confirmed the uncontrolled mining in the Aravallis.
- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had constituted a joint committee to find out the extent of illegal mining in the Aravallis.
- The report of this committee has reported mining activity at several places despite prohibitory orders in the area.
- The Supreme Court had banned mining of major and minor minerals in the Aravalli hills in Faridabad, Gurugram and Mewat.
- This ban was first imposed in the year 2002 and then in the year
- The court had banned mining with the aim of restoring the traditional ecosystem of the hills.
- Earlier, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had also highlighted the alarming level of ecological degradation in the Aravallis in its report.
Significance of Aravalli
- Aquifer recharge: Many streams emerge from the Aravalli. In addition, with its natural fissures and fissures, the Aravalli mountain range serves as the most important water recharge area of the National Capital Region (NCR).
- Climate: During the monsoon this mountain range directs the monsoon clouds towards the east. Thus, this chain helps in nourishing the sub-Himalayan rivers as well as the North Indian plains. In the winter months, this mountain range protects the fertile alluvial river valleys (Indus and Ganges) from cold westerly winds from Central Asia.
- Wildlife: The Aravalli mountain range is home to a large number of wild species. With its degradation the potential for human-wildlife conflict is increasing.
Aravali-
- Aravalli is considered to be the oldest mountain range in the geographical structure of India and it is also the oldest in the world.
- It is about 700 It is a long mountain range. It starts from Gujarat, passes through Rajasthan and Haryana and ends at Raisina hill in Delhi.
- This mountain range divides Rajasthan into two parts from north to south. The highest mountain peak of Aravalli is Gurushikhar (1727 m) in Sirohi district, which is in Mount Abu.
- The Aravalli mountain range has been eroding over the past four decades due to mining, deforestation and over-exploitation of its sensitive and ancient water vessels.
Source – The Hindu
