The Rajasthan government’s highest priority right now is to clear Bandh Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary to mine for…. pink sandstone to further construct the Ram Temple.
You read it right. Never mind the looming recession, rising unemployment, increasing hate crimes. The government is focused on to denotify the 200-years-old Bandh Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary, home to black panthers, tigers, and over 200 species of native and migratory birds. The Bandh sanctuary’s been a no-mining zone since 2016 and was created in 1887 by the Bharatpur royal family.
But, the pink sandstone found exclusively in this sanctuary is now of “the highest priority.” The government refuses to disclose why.
What’s changed since 1887, you’re wondering?
The newly constructed Ram Temple, which is made of this particular pink sandstone.
Indian air pollution is responsible for 670,00 deaths annually and particularly aggravates respiratory and cardiovascular conditions including chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and asthma.
Priorities, right?
The Ladies Compartment wonders how Ram would feel about clearing out his beloved animals to make a building in his name?
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When the air is beyond hazardous and the sight of birds in the sky is a distant dream, we’ll all be at that pink temple praying to Ram to let us breath.
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#TodayInDevelopment is an on-going series by The Ladies Compartment in an attempt to find sense amid the craziness that is New India. Copyright lies with Avantika Mehta.
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