Part of our identity, culture: Tribal communities pledge to save Aravallis

JAIPUR: Tribal organisations across southern Rajasthan have denounced recent legal and administrative moves that weaken protection of Aravalli hills, warning that the region — already worst affected by mining — now faces an existential threat to its land, culture, and livelihood.

On Saturday, tribal youths from Banswara and Dungarpur climbed hill stretches as part of a widening campaign against mining and land exploitation. Community elders invoked history to underline their resistance. “From Raja Punja to Govind Guru, our forefathers protected these hills,” said Manoj Damor, a tribal activist from Banswara. “Our folk songs, rituals, and stories are linked to forests and mountains. These hills are part of our identity and culture.”

Calling a tribals’ meeting in Banswara on Tuesday, MP Rajkumar Roat said: “This move is clearly anti-tribal. Weakening Aravalli protection will push our communities towards displacement and forced migration,” Roat said.

Tribal representative and Bhartiya Tribal Party state president Vela Ram said redefining Aravallis in narrow technical terms amounted to legitimising ecological destruction. “This is not development; this is displacement... the last protected hills are being opened for exploitation,” he said.

According to tribal organisations, the region has faced continuous exploitation for more than 300 years — first under princely rule, then colonial extraction by British, and now through industrial mining. “Enough is enough. Every generation was forced to defend our land. This struggle is no different,” Damor said.

Tribal groups have criticised govts of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi for failing to present a united stand before Supreme Court, alleging that institutional silence has emboldened mining interests.

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