Thar Desert could spread to Delhi if Aravalli hills lose protection, says Sachin Pilot

The Hindu
The Hindu
2w ago
Sachin Pilot warned that excluding 90% of the Aravalli hills from protection could cause the Thar Desert to expand up to Delhi, worsening environmental degradation and desertification in northern India.
Thar Desert could spread to Delhi if Aravalli hills lose protection, says Sachin Pilot
A What happened
Sachin Pilot warned that the government's new definition of the Aravalli hills excludes 90% of the range, which could lead to the Thar Desert expanding up to Delhi. He joined a protest march in Jaipur to raise awareness about the ecological importance of the Aravallis. Pilot stressed that the hills prevent air pollution, protect groundwater, and sustain biodiversity, making their conservation critical. This issue matters because the weakening of protections may worsen environmental degradation and desertification in northern India.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Aravalli Redefinition Excludes 90%: The new government definition of the Aravalli hills excludes most of the range, stripping protection from nearly 90% of the area.

  • 2

    Ecological Importance: The Aravalli hills act as a natural shield against desertification, air pollution, and support groundwater and biodiversity.

  • 3

    Political Criticism: Pilot accused BJP governments in multiple states of contributing to the destruction of the Aravalli hills through insufficient action.

Takeaways

Protecting the full range of the Aravalli hills is crucial to preventing environmental risks including desert expansion into urban areas like Delhi.

Topics

Climate & Environment Climate World & Politics Policy & Regulation Governance

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