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.

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.

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 :

• 8000_Landuse_2010_FINAL_www.MountAbu.Com.pdf
• 8000_Landuse_2030_FINAL_www.MountAbu.Com.pdf
• 8000_Town_Area-Model_www.MountAbu.Com.pdf
• 16000_Landuse_2010_www.MountAbu.Com.pdf
• 16000_Landuse_2030_www.MountAbu.Com.pdf
• TOURISM_MAP_MOUNT_ABU_www.MountAbu.Com.pdf
• Town_Area_Map_16000-Model_www.MountAbu.Com.pdf

This draft is open for public objection, if there is anything you would like to comment pls. share with all by "anonymously" commenting below.

Tiger Path is the last of the virgin forest trails left in Mount Abu,with all the excitement from the Jungle Tales and Tarzan comics,so much so one is rewarded with the Tarzan Hut atop a Mango Tree, at the end of the trail. It was one of the earlier paths to Mount-Abu also known as Old Cart Road. The ancient and the sacred hills of Arbud have been the abode of the Gods. They have also been the hermitage of the Vedic Rishiis, a place of pilgrimage-for the Hindus and the Jains alike and a place of military vantage throughout history.

Since 1835 AD, Arbud has been a jewel amongst the hill stations of India with its beautiful, ex-citing jungle trails like The Bailey’s Walk, Craig’s Path, Saal Gaon trail, Palanpur Path, and more arduous the Utroj path and Sher Gaon path etc. But, indeed, Tiger path takes the cake! It is also the way to one of the most ancient temples on earth, the Rishikesh Temple, nearly 7,000 years old - Mount Abu could well be the cradle of civilization!

During the Vedic times 10 narrow mountain foot paths led to the hills of Arbud. In historic times one pony track from the village of Anaadra was laid out on the Western hill face of Abu and another broad road along which even elephants could come was laid out on the Eastern slope of the hill of Arbud, which terminated at Achalgarh,the capital of Mount Abu. The marble for the thou-sand year old Delwara Temple was brought on the elephant back and in the bullock carts along this broad road.

In 1778 AD Prithviraj Chauhan, the last Hindu emperor of India climbed along this broad road to consummate his marriage with the daughter of Prahladan, the founder of Prahladanpur, which for the last 2-3 centuries is known as Palanpur. Prahladan was the younger brother of Dharavarsh Pramarg the mighty ruler of Arbud. The invasion of Mahmud Gaznavi in 1025 AD, of Sultan Allaudin Khilji of Delhi in 1298 AD, and the Sultan of Gujarat in the 15th Century AD came along this route, which is now in total disrepair and the thick over growth of forest prohibits any access along this route, but the pony track to Anaadra is very muchin use as of date.

In 1881 AD the new road was opened along the Eastern slope of the _hill from Mount Abu to Kharari Railway Station (Abu Road) via St. Mary’s High School, touching the plains at Rishikesh. This project was undertaken by His Highness Maharajdhiraj Maharao Sir Kesari Singhji Bahadur of Sirohi, GCSI, KCSI and British Engineers were deployed for the work. It is romantically reminiscenced as “Old Cart Road”. In 1917 AD the preseirt tarmac road that links Mount Abu to Abu-Road was laid out via Chipaberi (probably thewell of Chipa).

Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place at Mount Abu in Rajasthan with over 45,000 tourists, mostly from Gujarat, thronging the hill station to welcome the New Year.

Stringent checking of important places, frisking of tourists and their baggage’s has been undertaken in the town situated at 5,742 ft in the Aravali ranges and sprawling over 5,000 acre.

According to deputy superintendent of police Chensingh Rajpurohit, "Besides regular police officials, additional force, including an inspector two sub-inspectors and 100 jawans have been deployed in wake of prevailing situation after Mumbai terror attacks." Closed Circuit TV cameras (CCTV s) have been installed at all important locations in the mountain town and intensive checking is being carried out at the very climbing point and also at toll collection point."

"Besides tight security, policemen in civil dress ate on the move at public places like Nakki Lake, Dilwara Jain temple and other tourist attractions too look out for mischief mongers," he said.

Hotels, which are doing' brisk business, have been asked to install CCTV's at all important places in their premises. "No is allowed in the hotel without a valid identification," Rajpurohit added. Meanwhile, tourists continue to swarm Mount Abu; braving cold and chilly winds. The three-day Sharad Utsav (winter festival) jointly organized by Rajasthan Tourism and Mount Abu NagarPalika also got off to a glittering start on Monday, Deputy director, Rajasthan Tourism, Udaipur, Sumita Saroj said, "Skating, 'mehndi' and rangoli competitions are some of the major attractions in the festival. A 'Lagan' cricket match of 20 overs played on Tuesday stole the show."

According to municipality chairman Jalamgiri, “ As many as 45,000 tourists are already on the hills and number is increasing daily. At present, the night and morning temperatures are being recorded in minus."

MountAbu has turned into a favourite destination for newly-wed couples too. If NRI couple Pranav and Rohini experienced a memorable winter of their life, Maunas and Shital from Panipat in Haryana said they want to visit this place every year.

Winter Festival 2008, Invitation Card and Program Schedule: