Mount Abu Development

NGT stays execution of Mount Abu's masterplan

Submitted by Webmaster on Thu, 16/06/2016 - 11:14am
Jun 16 2016 : The Times of India (Ahmedabad) - A K Sharma, Mount Abu

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, has ordered a stay on implementation of a master plan for Mount Abu prepared by the Rajasthan government, giving a reason to cheer for the local green crusaders.

NGT's principal bench has asked the state government and the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) to respond to the petition filed by environment activist Arun Sharma within two weeks.

“We restrain the respondents or any other person from felling of trees. Constructions if any, raised presently would be subject to the orders that may be passed in the present application. The respondents would also not sanction any fresh plan for construction without specific leave of the tribunal,“ the NGT order stated.

The MoEF had declared Mount Abu as an eco-sensitive zone in June 2009 following recommendations of the Supreme Court-appointed Mohan Ram committee's recommendations that found the hill town to be an eco-fragile area and that immediate measures must be taken to stop ecological degradation.

The petitioner said that the master plan allows construction on the agricultural land and huge chunks of green hills would be destroyed for commercial construction considering a population increase by 2030.

Besides, any provision of buffer zone around any wildlife sanctuary or eco-sensitive zone has been thrown to the winds, where construction has come up right on the toes of Mount Abu.

Sharma said the master plan serves no benefit to the local denizens or hotel businesses, except to a handful of land satraps from various states.

Revised Mount Abu Zonal Master Plan 2030

Submitted by Webmaster on Fri, 14/09/2012 - 1:55pm


The original Mount Abu Zonal Master Plan 2030 was modified after listening to public objections and opinions, the changed zonal-plan is available for download as an layered PDF file here - http://bit.ly/MountAbuZonal (individual layers can be turned on/off for better visibility).

Supply limited land-usage and construction restrictions in eco-sensitive tourist destination "Mount Abu" makes land here high valued, and this is the reason voices against high-level corruption and favoritism to wealthy and capable have now started to surface. Local people and their elected Nagarpalika representatives have now came out publicly against the corruption, alleging the new Zonal master plan is made to profit a few by making their lands which fall in green area as commercial - where existing residential and commercial land is shown under Eco-sensitive green belt. Here is an EXCLUSIVE report from HBC news reporter - Mr. Kamlesh Prajapat.



You can comment anonymously (without revealing your identity) and post your opinions below.

[EXCLUSIVE] Mount Abu Master Zonal Plan Draft 2030

Submitted by Webmaster on Mon, 19/09/2011 - 5:38pm

Thanks to Mr. Narayansingh Bhati, Nagar Palika Councilor, Mount Abu we are hereby able to post these "Mount Abu Master Zonal Plan 2030 Draft Files" for public use.

- Deepesh Agarwal


Draft Files for Zonal Master Plan Of Mount Abu Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) 2030 :
This draft is open for public objection, if there is anything you would like to comment pls. share with all by "anonymously" commenting below.

Salgaon dam, Mt Abu's life line

Submitted by Webmaster on Tue, 19/02/2008 - 1:30pm

The great poet Rahim had said "Sans water, sans life". It is all the more pertinent for Mount Abu. This is because Mount Abu depends completly on the mercy of rain gods for its water supply. If they smile, Mount Abu thrives and if they frown it is thorn-crown for the whole year, till they are pleased with the havanas!

The story of unease does not end here. Even if rain gods are pleased with prayers, the present storage capacity of available rain water is a constant cause of concern for one and all.

The government of Rajasthan had long ago approved Salagaon Dam scheme to facilitate rain water storage. However, the scheme could not be implemented till date. Thankfully, the much-awaited D-day had finally came. A central government team will be arriving on February 16 from Delhi to have the concluding dekko and wave the green flag for the project.

Mount Abu really needed water reservoir for drinking water since a long time ,along with an increase in the local population, the influx of visitors from within the country and outside has also multiplied many folds. The last year saw more than 1.5 million visitors - more than any city in Rajasthan.

Notably, Mt. Abu has been making rapid strides to improve infrastructure for its civic amenities. the new roads in this tiny hill hamlet serve as the best example. Once 33 K.V. line from Anaadra to Mount Abu by the CEC (the Central Empowerment Committee of the Apex Court Of India) is approved, infrastructure development will gain momentum. Load shedding will be a passe when the line starts working.

With this, if the Salgaon Dam project materializes, categorically, Municipal Chairman Jalam Giri would become the proverbial Bhagirath that the ever indebted tiny hill hamlet would remember forever!

Source: TOI Author: Mr. A.K. Sharma