‘The hills are orphaned’

Jitender Bhadana is a Faridabad-based environmentalist working on Aravalli conservation. He leads an NGO, Save Aravali Trust. Apart from being a representative in a host of Aravalli cases in courts, the NGO is engaged wildlife conservation and environment literacy. A brief conversation with the conservationist:

How will you describe the current situation of the Aravallis?

The Aravallis are abandoned and orphaned. For two decades government officials have only talked about its depleting status. They continue to turn a blind eye to the hills’ exploitation. They have never dared to call what it always was — a forest. It's unfortunate that when we go to an officer for enquiring about a piece of land in the hill range, he/she say it is a private property. Nobody can stop commercial activities here.

What has been the most harmful change in the hill range over the last decade?

We have lost our biggest ecological reserve: the tree cover and water bodies. The changes that we saw are rampant flash floods every monsoon, smog, depleting ground water, contaminated water and a rise in skin problems and breathing disorders.

Which factors have led to the current plight?

The major factor has been indifference and greed. The lack of clarity over the forest status is resolvable. But legal loopholes persist. As a result, encroachers have benefited. Mining stopped in 2002, but exploitation of resources continues. The response of various governments has been very discouraging.

What can be the best possible way to minimize the damage?

Awareness and sensitivity among decision makers is only way to resolve the problem.