Assault on Aravallis
THE majestic Aravalli hills, a crucial ecological barrier against desertification, continue to bear the brunt of relentless exploitation. Even as the mountains are enduring the ravages of illegal mining, it has come to the fore that the fragile ecosystem is also under attack from scrap mafia. Illegal portable waste kilns along the Rajasthan-Haryana border burn vehicle scrap, especially rubber tyres, emitting toxic fumes. The noxious gas is not only polluting the air, water and soil but also displacing wildlife and threatening the health of local communities.
The crisis is exacerbated by a lack of accountability. Jurisdictional confusion between Haryana and Rajasthan allows the waste mafia to operate with impunity, much like their mining counterparts. Villagers’ complaints about pollution and health hazards are met with bureaucratic inertia. Efforts by law enforcement authorities to tackle the illegal portable kilns are hobbled due to staff shortages and unclear boundaries. Unsurprisingly, such administrative lapses have emboldened the culprits. They brazenly evade action by crossing state borders.
This environmental catastrophe demands coordinated intervention. Haryana’s Forest Minister has promised raids and penalties for both offenders and negligent officials, but piecemeal measures will not suffice. Multi-state collaboration is imperative to eliminate this toxic menace. Advanced surveillance technologies, such as geospatial mapping and drone patrols, should be deployed to monitor activities in the Aravallis. In addition, stringent penalties and swift legal action are essential to deter culprits. Empowering local communities with resources and platforms to report violations could bolster enforcement efforts. The Aravallis are a lifeline for millions of local residents. They are crucial to regulating groundwater recharge and mitigating urban heat. Allowing their destruction for short-term gains is an environmental injustice that future generations will not forgive. Resolute action is needed to save this irreplaceable treasure.
