The green tribunal must help save the Aravalis

A Natural Conservation Zone is needed owing to depletion of water resources

E very government document speaks about the need to ensure economic development without depletion of natural resources. But on the ground, things are different. Take for example, the ongoing tussle between the Haryana government and environmentalists over the Aravali Natural Conservation Zone (ANCZ) at the National Green Tribunal (NGT). While the former wants to dilute the norms to free around 11,500 hectares, which are under the natural conservation zone (NCZ) ‘status to be decided’, for development of real estate, many citizens are dead against such a move for good reasons. The Aravali Natural Conservation Zone is categorised under two heads — ‘confirmed’ NCZ and ‘yet to be decided’ NCZ. While the former has 51,000 hectares of forest land in its cover, the latter spreads across 11,500 hectares. On Tuesday, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) came to the rescue of the ANCZ. Hearing a petition filed by environmentalist SS Oberoi, the NGT issued notices to the Haryana government and forest department, seeking replies by July 3. With dwindling water resources, the NCZ concept is highly relevant today since concrete structures on wetlands, gullies, ravines, foothills and storm water drains disrupt the replenishment of ground water.

The assault on the India’s ecology has assumed gigantic proportions. According to a recent report by the WWF, three major natural World Heritage Sites — the Western Ghats, Sundarbans National Park and the Manas wildlife sanctuary — are facing threats from harmful industrial activities.

The UNEP’s Green Economy Initiative has demonstrated that the greening of economies is an engine for growing wealth, increasing decent employment, and reducing persistent poverty. Unfortunately, many myopic Indian policymakers don’t seem to comprehend such ideas thanks to the pressure of five-year election cycles when development becomes a big vote-catcher.