23 Aug 2010
Anyone have any ideas how this might effect the Brahma Kumaris or if the Brahma Kumaris were involved in it ... either pro or against?
Mount Abu gets "eco-sensitive" status
PTI, New Delhi. Jul 5, 2009, 14:01 IST
For years, Mount Abu, nestled in Rajasthan's Aravali range, has been a source of solace to innumerable tourists and worshippers, who throng the hill station for its rich flora and fauna and world-famous Dilwara temples. Now, to protect the area from further ecological degradation caused by rapid urbanisation and irregular tourist inflow, the government has recently notified the hotspot as an "eco-sensitive zone."
The area has become out of bounds for mining and industries that can potentially pollute the region, and no construction will be allowed without permission from the authorities in the area spread over 325 sq km.
The step, perceived as a huge victory for conservationists who had been battling for the protection of the rich, fragile ecosystem in the area, has been widely welcomed. "It is a step in the right direction. Mount Abu is rich in diverse flora and fauna. Panther, sloth bear, hyena, jackal and caracal, green munia and red spur fowl are found in the area. The tourist traffic will be regulated. But I hope the rules are implemented in the right spirit," wildlife expert Asad Rehmani from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) told PTI.
"As far as hill stations are concerned, they are under acute anthropogenic pressure. And there is an urgent need to protect them. The notification for Mount Abu has come quite late after seven years of long battle. But still, it will protect the heritage from further degradation as this area has a rich but fragile ecosystem," said Rajasthan-based wildlife conservationist Debi Goenka. Goenka has been instrumental in pressuring the government to declare other hill stations Matheran, Mahabaleshwar-Panchghani and Dahanau Taluka in Maharashtra as eco-sensitive zones.
Significantly, Mount Abu is the first eco-sensitive zone declared in Rajasthan, wherein steps have been taken to protect bio-diversity in the region, particularly in Sanctuary, spread over 288 km.
Mount Abu, situated in Sirohi district, is known for several endemic and rare species. Besides, it has natural treasures like Nakki Lake, and manmade heritage structures like the Dilwara temples. The notification is applicable to the Mount Abu Municipal Council area, sanctuary and adjoining forests regions covering 12 villages, including Sanigaon, Jaogaon, Dilbara, Uriya, Jawal, Achalgarh, Salgaon, Torna, Dudhai, Hetamji and Arna.
Debi Goenka leads Conservation Action Trust (CAT), and is one of India’s most well-known conservationists. He has been working in the field of environmental protection in India since 1975, and has pioneered several successful campaigns to protect the natural environment. Some of the most notable success stories have been the protection of mangroves, the protection of the Borivali National Park, and the success in protecting over 3,500 square kilometers of forests in Vidarbha from denotification.
He has also been involved in campaigns to prevent the denotification of the Melghat Tiger Sanctuary, the notification of Dahanu Taluka as an ecologically sensitive area, the protection of the coastal areas of Murud Janjira, the declaration of the Nandur - Madhameshwar bird sanctuary, as well as the campaign against Enron.