Face2News/Chandigarh
The Supreme Court’s decision to stay the recommendations of the Mining Regulation Committee till further orders has been welcomed by Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan.
Speaker Sandhwan said earlier the Supreme Court had approved the new definition of Aravalli Hills recommended by the committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, but in view of the serious concerns related to it, apex court has now reconsidered the matter and held in abeyance on the previous orders.
He stressed that environmental conservation should be given priority over commercial motives.He added that the entire controversy has arisen due to the change in the “definition” of Aravalli Hills. According to the new definition, only that area will be considered hilly, whose height is at least 100 meters higher than the surrounding land.
According to environmental experts, this definition may take about 90 percent of the small hills of the Aravalli region out of legal protection, which opening the way for mining and real estate activities there.
He warned that if the Aravalli hills are damaged, it may open the way for desert winds move towards Delhi-NCR. These hills act as a “green wall” that prevents sand and dust from moving forward. Their destruction may increase the risk of dusty storms and air pollution in North India manifold.
Speaker said that the damage of the Aravalli hills will not be limited to any one area, but will have a direct and serious impact on the environment of the entire North India. He demanded that appropriate and far-reaching steps be taken immediately to ensure effective and sustainable protection of the Aravalli Hills.