India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – Indian television news, long accused of going soft on those in power, has in recent days taken an unusually confrontational turn on environmental issues. Across prime time debates and live street coverage, major channels are openly challenging the Narendra Modi government over air pollution and a controversial Supreme Court backed redefinition of the Aravalli hills.

The shift is striking not only for its intensity but also for who is leading it, anchors and networks that are often seen as sympathetic to the ruling party and has led to media reporting on each other and noting each other by name.

The immediate trigger has been the Supreme Court’s acceptance of a new definition of the Aravalli range, one of the world’s oldest geological systems stretching across Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi. Under the definition proposed by the federal government and accepted by the court, an Aravalli hill is any landform rising at least 100 meters above the surrounding area, with two or more such hills within 500 meters treated as a range. Environmental groups warn that this height based benchmark could leave vast stretches of lower, scrub covered hills outside protection, opening them to mining and construction.

Protests have broken out across northern India, as activists argue that these lower hills are ecologically vital. Experts say they act as a barrier against desertification, help recharge groundwater and sustain rural livelihoods.

The government has pushed back strongly. The environment ministry in trying to allay the fear of environmentalists and those who object to big corporations encroaching on the land , says it is wrong to assume mining will be permitted on all land below 100 meters and insists that no new mining leases will be granted anywhere in the Aravallis from Delhi to Gujarat. Existing mines, it says, will be allowed to operate only under strict environmental safeguards in line with Supreme Court orders. The stated objective, according to official statements, is to preserve the integrity of the Aravalli ecosystem while bringing uniformity to regulation and ending unregulated mining.

What has amplified the controversy is wall-to-wall television coverage. Channels including Times Now, India Today, News 18 India,and ABP News have carried live protests and studio debates questioning the policy, The Print pointed out.

Stunningly, Republic TV anchor Arnab Goswami, who is a known Modi supporter, has gone further, launching an on air campaign against the redefinition and alleging it would benefit powerful business interests at the cost of a mountain range. He has accused the government of institutionalizing mining and described the Aravallis as being legally killed, even taking aim at fellow anchors, he claims avoid the issue.

Running parallel is relentless coverage of the air quality crisis in Delhi and north India. India Today and others have broadcast daily AQI updates showing near zero visibility at landmarks like India Gate. Union minister Nitin Gadkari’s remark that he felt sick after spending two days in the capital went viral, with CNN News 18 calling it a bold admission. (with IANS inputs)