JNU students march against new Aravali definition, call for strong legal safeguards

New Delhi: Several students led by Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) held a protest march on the campus on Saturday amid growing concerns over the protection of the Aravali range.The march, Save Aravali, began at Ganga dhaba and ended at Parthasarathy Rocks, the highest natural point on the campus, which is located along the southern edge of Aravali.
The protest was organised against central govt's recently notified definition of the range following a Supreme Court order dated Nov 20. Students echoed concerns raised by environmental groups that the revised definition, which excludes areas below 100 metres from being classified as Aravali, could open vast stretches of the fragile mountain ecosystem to mining, excavation and real estate activities.Participants also expressed solidarity with ongoing movements in Rajasthan and other regions against the revised definition. Citing expert assessments, students claimed that a large portion of the existing Aravali landmass could become vulnerable to commercial exploitation if the new definition was implemented. They warned that further degradation of the hills could have far-reaching consequences for the western Indo-Gangetic plain, including rising temperatures, desertification, and worsening air and water pollution.Addressing the participants, JNUSU president Aditi Mishra alleged that forests and hill regions across the country were increasingly being opened up for private commercial interests, resulting in the displacement of communities and ecological damage. JNUSU joint secretary Danish Ali said the move could further aggravate Delhi's pollution levels and urged authorities to reconsider the decision.Participants demanded stronger legal safeguards for Aravali, describing it as critical to maintaining the ecological balance in north India.

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