By Shridhar Jawak & Sulagna Chattopadhyay, The authors are a Remote Sensing Officer with Svalbard Integrated Arctic Observing System, Norway and founder editor G’nY Vanishing Profiles
Date - 1st November 2018
Damdama and Badhkal, two prominent lakes situated in the north and south of the Aravalli outcrops, have all but vanished. Increasing human interference, unprecedented rise in built up area, privatisation of land for recreational purposes and unsustainable cropping activities in recent years are wiping out these lakes.
A ridge spans the land between two sprawling megalopolis’ in the making–Gurgaon and Faridabad. Dotted with lakes, ponds and tiny water bodies, the Aravalli outcrops offer an interesting exploration format, not to mention its myriad ecological needs. But for land developers the ancient rocks are encumbrances that need to be blasted away, making way for an ultra-modern skyline. Many shimmering blue expanses have now disappeared, while others wait in dank silence for its imminent death. There are several international protocols...