Ashok Gehlot Joins ‘Save Aravali’ Campaign, Changes Social Media DP to Raise Awareness

Jaipur: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has joined the nationwide campaign to protect the Aravali mountain range, which spans approximately 80% of Rajasthan’s land area. Supporting the cause, Gehlot has updated the display picture (DP) across all his social media accounts, including X, to a scenic image of the lush Aravali hills.

Gehlot emphasized the importance of the Aravali range, stating that its significance cannot be measured merely by height or physical boundaries. By changing his DP, he is sending a strong message about the environmental and ecological importance of the range.

From ‘Stop Vote Theft’ to ‘Save Aravali’

Five months ago, following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s press conference in Delhi exposing alleged vote theft, Gehlot and several other Congress leaders had updated their social media DPs to messages like “Freedom from Vote Theft” and “Stop Vote Theft.” Now, Gehlot has replaced it with the ‘Save Aravali’ DP. Soon after, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully also followed suit, signaling widespread political support for the campaign.

Protecting Northern India’s Future

While updating his DP, Gehlot urged citizens to actively support the Save Aravali campaign. He stressed that this is not just a symbolic gesture but a form of protest against a new government definition that excludes hills under 100 meters from being classified as part of the Aravali range.

Gehlot appealed to the central government and the Supreme Court to reconsider this classification in order to safeguard the future of coming generations. He argued that the Aravali should be evaluated based on its environmental contributions rather than its height.

Why Aravali Protection Matters

Gehlot highlighted four critical reasons for conserving the Aravali range:

1. Barrier Against Desertification: The Aravali acts as a natural ‘Green Wall,’ preventing the Thar Desert sands and hot winds from advancing into fertile regions of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. If smaller hills are opened for mining, desertification could threaten northern India.
2. Pollution Control: These hills and forests serve as the ‘lungs’ of the National Capital Region, reducing dust storms and deadly air pollution. Without them, environmental conditions could worsen significantly.
3. Groundwater Recharge: The Aravali rocks are vital for absorbing rainwater and replenishing groundwater. Their destruction could lead to severe water shortages, threatening wildlife and ecological balance.
4. Structural Continuity: The Aravali is a continuous mountain chain. Every hill, regardless of size, plays a crucial role. Removing even a small section can compromise the ecological and environmental security of the region.

Through his social media initiative, Gehlot has drawn public attention to the critical need for Aravali conservation and reinforced the urgent call to protect one of northern India’s most vital ecological assets.