Mount Abu is now on its way to officially become an Eco-Sensitive Zone. This area has been held sacred from time immemorial and it is only fitting that for future generations this Abode of ours retains its originality and is not turned into another over clustered ugly hill station, like some of the other places on this planet of ours. It would be a huge constraint faced by the Abuites in terms of new dwelling for their future expanding generations. I love this place and would never desire that it becomes a concrete jungle and lose its natural exquisiteness, yet at the same time on its complete implementation I would fear for the poor and the under-privileged who have eons ago encroached on Municipal land and who have their small shanty colonies spread over different areas of Abu being pulled down to adhere to the norms of Eco-sensitive laws. These very same denizens have been used by our political leaders to gain votes for their parties; it would be a crying shame if this came to pass.
Abuites, for centuries have safe guarded its natural environment and have taken great pride to see that nothing came in its way to harm the environment. The British in their wisdom saw to it while they were here that this paradise should be preserved and hence always considered it a sanctuary; their bylaws are still in enforcement.
We have been given a time period to air our grievances as to why this semi arid hill station not be declared an ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE. Pray why has Abu been chosen to be another Eco-sensitive zone in this huge diverse land of ours? While the whole of North India and the Himalayan region far more richer in flora and fauna have not been broached on this topic, it’s ironic as Abu only last year had been officially declared a sanctuary and Abu comes directly under the directives of the Supreme Court, And its laws laid down for the functioning of this hill station. Does the Rajasthan government fear that the directives of the Supreme Court will not be adhered to hence the need for it to be declared an eco-sensitive zone, so as to doubly make sure that the additional laws that are provided by the declaration of eco-sensitive zone can compensate for the short comings of the law of the land? Another question rises its head, are there vested interests in making this area an eco sensitive zone, if yes what are they?
Why should the public and tribals of this land be subjected to yet another set of rules to save the flora and fauna of this place, are we not also people of a democratic republic who for centuries have safeguarded our national heritage and preserved the beauty of this hill station of ours. It’s a crying shame that the law of the jungle still prevails in our civilized modern world, the mighty shall have their way and the meek and humble shall be trod upon. Abuites are a peace loving community who have always lived and worshipped nature and have never raised their voice of displeasure even when subjected by the powers that be.
Laws will be passed, but does it have to be the people of Abu yet again to be subjected to another set of environmental laws for the proper functioning of this place, to what justification? Aren’t the directives of the Supreme Court and those of the Forest Act enough for the smooth running of this place? Should the short comings of the Government not to implement these laws have prompted that Abu be declared an Eco sensitive zone? Erring officials not found competent to perform their duty should be removed and replaced by competent ones.
Abu has neither any polluting factories nor paper mills in its vicinity to cause any kind of damage to its environment. The only industry Abu can boast of its hotel industry and educational outlets, the rest of Abu is a peaceful town of banyans and traders. We do have our heritage religious sites which are strongly protected by the inhabitants of this hill station. I for one would like to question the authorities who have seen in their wisdom sitting at their conference tables as to why this hill station and its public at large be subjected to laws that should be instrumental to areas where the environment is facing grave danger of environmental devastation, here in Abu the only adverse factor to have any change on its environment is Global climatic changes.
Your mail was v late since the last date for sending objections to the notification was the 20th. I understand there was a meeting held on the 14th called by citizens to oppose the notification. Did you attend it? I am told that citizens could individually snd their objections to the govt web site giving their objections. Did you do that?
ReplyDelete