Guwahati: Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha and a senior party leader, on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the proposed redefinition of the Aravalli mountain range. He warned that such a move could exacerbate air pollution, increase heat-related risks, damage the ecology, and impact communities living in the region.
In a post on X, Gogoi emphasized the historical and environmental significance of the Aravallis, one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges, stretching approximately 650 km from Delhi to Gujarat and believed to be around 3.2 billion years old.
He stated that unplanned and indiscriminate development has already harmed the fragile Aravalli ecosystem. He added that this ecological imbalance has contributed to climate impacts on agriculture, high air pollution levels, and public health concerns, particularly in the National Capital Region and surrounding areas.
Gogoi said that the failure to properly implement environmental regulations has weakened ecological safeguards. He pointed out that lax regulations have led to unchecked mining, construction, and deforestation.
He warned that redefining the Aravallis could further compromise environmental protection, leading to increased pollution levels, more intense heatwaves, and long-term socio-economic hardships for dependent communities.
Gogoi urged policymakers to exercise restraint and reconsider decisions that could cause irreversible environmental damage. His comments come amidst a growing debate over land use, environmental clearances, and conservation norms related to the Aravalli range, which acts as a shield against desertification and pollution.
Experts have long maintained that the Aravallis regulate the climate, recharge groundwater, and serve as the green lungs for northwestern India. Gogoi’s statement lends political weight to the concern that development-centric policies may jeopardize long-term ecological and public health security.
Gaurav Gogoi raised questions about the ecological and health impacts of the Aravalli project
