The Huddle to look at the debate on the development of Aravallis, Nicobar and India

The Aravallis, one of the oldest mountain systems in the world, have long faced the pressure of mining and quarrying. File. | Photo credit: PTI

One of the most defining political debates of our time is that of development versus the environment. As India pursues various infrastructure and economic goals, there is concern that environmental issues may not receive the attention they deserve.

These questions will be explored in a panel discussion at The Hindu Huddle in Bengaluru on June 6. The session will be addressed by Jairam Ramesh, former Union Environment Minister and Congress MP, and Dr. Krithi Karanth, conservation biologist and CEO, Center for Wildlife Studies. The discussion will be moderated by Gargi Rawat, Consulting Editor, NDTV.

The talk will focus on two contrasting landscapes: the Aravalli Range and the Great Nicobar Island. The Aravallis, one of the oldest mountain systems in the world, have long faced the pressure of mining and quarrying. In 2025, after widespread protests, the Supreme Court froze new mining leases in notified areas across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat. The ruling was seen as an important step to protect the fragile ecosystem, which plays a key role in groundwater recharge and the fight against desertification.

Meanwhile, Great Nicobar, known for its unique biodiversity and indigenous communities, is the site of a proposed ₹72,000 crore infrastructure project to create a transshipment hub and defense hub. While supporters see the project as strategically important, critics have raised concerns about its environmental impact.

The discussion will explore what these two landscapes reveal about environmental governance in India today. It will also examine whether citizen activism can affect conservation outcomes, how policymakers should assess projects involving irreversible ecological losses, and why environmental issues such as the pollution crisis rarely become major electoral concerns.

It will also recognize India’s conservation achievements, including its network of tiger reserves, national parks and nature reserves. Discussions and questions center around how India can balance growth and environmental concerns in the coming years.

Published – 03 Jun 2026 02:00 IST