Jaipur, Dec 18 (NationPress) Tika Ram Jully, the Rajasthan Leader of the Opposition (LoP), expressed his strong disapproval of the central government and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests regarding the alleged destruction of the Aravalli mountain range.

He labeled the danger posed to the Aravalli as a “serious question mark on the future of Rajasthan,” stating that the endeavor to protect these mountains is a collective duty that surpasses political affiliations, aimed at safeguarding the state and future generations.

In his criticism of Union Environment Minister and Alwar MP Bhupendra Yadav, Jully pointed out the “greatest irony of democracy,” where those assigned to protect the environment are, in fact, contributing to its devastation.

“The Minister, who has academic roots in Ajmer and represents Alwar—regions intrinsically connected to the Aravallis and sacred sites such as Pushkar—remains silent while the Aravalli suffers destruction. Does he not care about his homeland or the legacy for future generations?” he queried.

Jully cautioned that recent amendments to the Forest Act and modifications in the Aravalli's definition could dismantle nearly 90 percent of the hills' protection, thereby enabling the mining mafia to exploit these natural resources. He warned that if this natural barrier of over 11,000 hills is compromised, the Thar Desert may expand towards Delhi and eastern Rajasthan.

He alleged that the 2023 amendments have diminished the effectiveness of independent monitoring bodies like the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), placing them under the direct oversight of the Environment Ministry, which could lead to arbitrary decisions in ecologically sensitive zones.

Jully underscored that the Aravallis are not merely hills; they are centers of faith, home to sacred sites like Pandupol Hanuman Ji and Raja Bhartrihari. He voiced his concern about unchecked exploitation resulting in groundwater depletion to 1,500 feet, warning that future generations will not forgive such negligence.

He proclaimed that the movement to preserve the Aravalli will extend beyond mere statements. He called for the ‘Save Aravalli Campaign’ to evolve into a mass movement, urging citizens to unite beyond political divides to protect nature, culture, and life, and to pressure the government to reconsider these “destructive amendments.”