BENGALURU: One of the most critical policy issues of the modern era the balance between infrastructure expansion and ecological conservation will take center stage at The Hindu Huddle on June 6. The upcoming panel discussion aims to dissect whether environmental preservation is being sidelined as the nation aggressively chases ambitious economic objectives.
The session will feature prominent voices in the field, including former Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and acclaimed conservation biologist Dr. Krithi Karanth, with NDTV Consulting Editor Gargi Rawat moderating the dialogue.
The panel will center its debate on two deeply contrasting geographical landscapes that have recently triggered massive national headlines: the ancient Aravalli mountain range in northwestern India and the remote Great Nicobar Island in the south.
The Aravallis, recognized globally among the oldest mountain systems, have long endured heavy degradation due to unregulated mining and quarrying activities.
While a landmark Supreme Court intervention froze new mining leases across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat to protect the crucial groundwater recharge zone, environmentalists argue that a newer, altitude-based legal definition of the hills could still leave lower ridges vulnerable to commercial exploitation.