Aravallis controversy: Yadav accuses Congress of ‘plundering’, spreading ‘misinformation’

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Thursday rejected claims of any Forest Survey of India (FSI) study indicating environmental degradation in the Aravalli range. Launching a sharp political attack on the Congress, Yadav accused former environment minister Jairam Ramesh of spreading “misinformation” on the issue and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of “plundering” the eco-sensitive sacred range during his tenure.

“You and your coterie are rattled because we have imposed a total ban on mining in the Aravallis from Gujarat to Delhi,” Yadav said, hitting out at Ramesh.

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“No FSI study has been conducted, making the claims you are referring to. But I know the reason you are spreading these lies despite FSI issuing a categorical denial,” Yadav added.

Aiming to turn the tables on the Congress, the minister alleged that large-scale damage to the Aravallis occurred during party-led governments in Rajasthan.

“We will not allow you, Mr Gehlot, or anyone else in your party to plunder the sacred Aravalli range ever again. We will continue to work for the restoration of what your party has ravaged,” he said.

“See the pictures of truth attached to my tweet. Maybe your ‘environmentalist hat’ would be credible if you questioned your party colleague Ashok Gehlot about who destroyed the Aravallis,” Yadav added.

Yadav said the Centre has enforced a complete ban on mining activities across the Aravalli range, stretching from Gujarat to Delhi, and asserted that the government would not allow any further exploitation of the region, adding that the government remains committed to protecting the ancient range that plays a critical role in preventing desertification and maintaining ecological balance in northwestern India.

The remarks come amid an escalating political row between the BJP and the Congress over environmental protection and land use in the Aravalli region, with both sides trading accusations over responsibility for ecological damage.

Calling Yadav’s Wednesday statement a “bogus attempt” at “damage control”, Ramesh said the government’s “pious proclamations” would not fool anyone, as the “dangerous” redefinition of the Aravallis remains unchanged.

“This is a bogus attempt at damage control that will not fool anybody. These are pious proclamations, but the dangerous 100-metre-plus redefinition of the Aravallis—rejected by the Forest Survey of India, the Supreme Court-mandated Central Empowered Committee, and the Supreme Court’s amicus curiae—remains unchanged,” according to Ramesh.