Lord Krishna's hills being destroyed by pseudo-Hindu Govt. of Vasundhara Raje

Bharatpur (Rajasthan), Hindus of the world are shocked and surprised to know that the BJP is allowing the large scale destruction of Lord Krishna’s land in the Rajasthan part of Braj.

Dozens of heritage hills in the land of Lord Krishna popularly known as Braj are facing a massive threat from the rampant illegal mining activities. Several of them have already been reduced to dust while several others are waiting their turn.

The BJP Government led by Smt. Vasundhara Raje has refused to respond to the outcry of millions of Hindu devotees world over. She told a delegation of Hindu saints led by Haribol Baba and representatives of Braj Rakshak Dal, a NGO fighting for the protection of these sacred heritage hills in Braj, “Do whatever you feel like, we cannot stop this.”

Despite repeated requests the national leadership of BJP has failed to check these un-mindful actions of its Chief Minister in Rajasthan.
The Kaman tehsil of Bharatpur district is the epicenter of the current mining activities in the Braj region. This is happening in total violation of the directives of the Rajasthan High Court and in gross contempt of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India as the entire region falls within the Taj Trapezium zone where any kind of polluting and environment degrading activity is banned.

Inspired by a 70 year old revolutionary saint Sri Ramesh Baba of Gahvarvan, Barsana (Mathura), over 10,000 members of the group from the rural areas of Braj region and a large number of its members from different parts of the world are actively trying to mobilize support and public opinion for the protection of these hills and other heritage sites in Braj.

A profound scholar Baba says that Lord Krishna was the biggest environmentalist and thereby it becomes the duty of His devotees to restore and preserve the ecology of Braj - Krishna's eternal abode.

E-petition on the internet
An internet petition to save the hils of Braj was posted in January 2005 at www.petitiononline.com/Barsana/petition.html. Support this cause by signing this. Several remarks have been made by thousands of concerned people from all over the world in suppport of it.

Ms. Preeti Dawra a former Journalist with UN in New York, writes from Singapore, “I whole heartedly support this worthy cause of saving our rich and unique cultural heritage. It must not be sacrificed to some petty economic interests.”

Sandeep Puri from USA writes "In the history I read that the Muslim invaders/rulers damaged our temples. But here I see that the Hindu Govt. headed by BJP is destroying our heritage. Shame to govt. and all Hindus who see all the destructions quietly."
2519 people from all over the world have so far signed this petition. A total moratorium on all mining activities in the Braj region is warranted at the earliest so that these priceless heritage spots can be held intact.

Braj is located some 115 Kms from Delhi on the Delhi – Agra national highway. The entire region spans across the Mathura district of UP, parts of Bharatpur district of Rajasthan and Faridabad district of Haryana.

Generally people think that Braj is Mathura or Vrindavan alone. The fact is that the entire region of Braj comprises of over 1300 villages, each of which has some or the other Krishna leela associated. The entire region lies well within the Golden triangle of Delhi – Jaipur – Agra.

Raje surpasses Aurangzeb

The brutal destruction of heritage hills in Braj is an issue which needs immediate attention of the highest judiciary, government, media and environmentalists. It is unfortunate that despite persistant attempts to convince Ms Vasundhra Raje the people and saints of Braj have not got any relief from her government during the past two years.
As would be evident by going through this paper that the BJP led Rajasthan Government is doing a cultural hara-kiri by allowing the blasting of heritage hills in Braj. Although, the leases for this kind of un-mindful mining were doled out way back in 1989 but the level of devastation which is happening now is unprecedented. Large scale machinization, illegal use of dynamite, total violation of environmental laws have forced the local Brajwasis and devotees to come forward to protect their heritage hills. It is unfortunate that the successive Congress and BJP governments in Rajasthan have not bothered to look into the ecological, economical and cultural aspects of these hills while granting lease for mining in Braj.
Sri Ramesh Baba is the only saint who has waged a war against the destruction of environment and heritage of Braj. It was due to his protests that the mining in UP part of Braj was stopped sometime back. He has been protesting against the mining in Rajasthan part of Braj ever since the mine mafia shifted their activity from the Aravali Hills around Delhi to Braj. They were forced to do this when the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India took serious note of the havoc caused by them on Aravali hills. The previous Chief Minister of Rajasthan Mr. Ashok Gehlot responded to the appeal of Sri Ramesh Baba and imposed ban on mining of the Ashtakoot Hills. However this turned out to be a temporary relief.
What is shocking for the millions of Hindus and saints that the current plunder of the heritage hills of Braj is happening in a BJP regime. Despite the recent controversies about BJP president’s ideological somersaults majority of Hindus world over are told that BJP is the only party which cares for their religious sentiments. Saints and millions of devotees in India and abroad are shocked and agitated on Ms Vasundhara Raje's attitude towards Braj. Knowing fully well that the hills of Braj are associated with Lord Krishna's pastimes she has allowed large scale illegal destruction of the heritage hills in Braj. Even Aurangzeb did not destroy this heritage of Braj.
In gross violation of the Apex Court of this country dynamite is being openly and widely used in the blasting of these hills. Heavily loaded trucks of masonry stones have made deep pot holes on the roads of Braj which pass through Deeg, Kaman, Seu, Barsana, Nandgaon and Goverdhan. This causes tremendous discomfort to the pilgrims who often shy away from these places of great religious significance. Several experts including professors from IITs are of the opinion that the hills of Braj should be preserved for geological considerations. Rajasthan is facing acute shortage of water and fodder. The hills of Braj have traditionally been the pasturelands for cattle. Even the pastoral communities from far off areas of western Rajasthan migrate towards Braj in search of fodder for their cattle. Experts are of the firm belief that if these hills are developed as pasture lands then the Government of Rajasthan will earn more revenue than it is earning by destryoing these hills.
The need of the hour is for all the environmentalists, religious leaders and lovers of Braj to join hands and demand complete ban on mining and stone crushing in the entire region of Braj. However, the final blow to the mine mafia will only come from the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, which has protected several hills in the past such as Aravalli hills around Delhi and the hills of Doon valley. Braj hills are more important than the rest because in addition to their ecological significance they are a priceless heritage for the millions of people worldwide.
Vineet Narain

On being confronted by the media the Chief minister and Mine minister of Rajasthan claim that they have taken several steps to protect the heritage hills of Braj, yet the agitating people of Braj are not satisfied. The fact is that this claim is misleading because if Ms Raje was serious her government would have taken the following steps to stop the illegal mining in the Rajasthan portion of Braj.

• It would have abided by the directions of the Hon'ble Rajasthan High court (dated May 18th 2004) to check the large scale illegal mining in the region.

• It would have taken stern actions against those illegal mining operations even to the extent of cancellation of the lease.

But unfortunately not a single such proceeding against any of the mine has been made. Even the imposition of any fine and penalty against any mine owner for not installing pillar or indicating any boundary marks at the place of mining activity has been done.

• It would have ensured the proper execution of the eco-friendly mining plan on the part of the miners.

This plan prescribes the mode and manner in which the mining activity is to be performed keeping in view the environment management plan, ecology and reclamation, disposal of waste, selection of site for stacking, mineral beneficiation, storage and preservation of top soil, compensatory afforestation.

The ground reality is that the approved mining plan is a mere paper formality between the mine owner and the mining department. These plans don't have any sanctity if they are not followed strictly.

• It would have taken a policy decision not to grant any futher mining lease in the region.

• It would have initiated steps to get the entire region declared as a heritage zone and thereby would have banned all sorts of mining activities in this zone of cultural, historic and spiritual importance.

• To compensate for its lost revenue, the government would have worked towards the sustainable alternatives like the development of pasture lands on these hills and by grooming the heritage sites into new eco-tourism destinations.

After going through this special edition of Kalchakra all the lovers of nature, Indian culture, devotees and Hindus in general will be very disturbed Please do not keep quiet. On the letter-head of your organisation, association, club, group or institution write a statement condemning the brutal destruction of heritage hills in Braj, sign it and send it as a press release to the journalists in your town. You may write to the Prime Minister of India and leader of BJP to take immediate action. Please also demand that Braj should be declared as heritage zone by the Govt. of India. We also look forward to your email, letter or phone calls on this issue.

Kalchakra C-6/28, SDA, Hauz Khas, New Delhi - 110 016
Tel : (011) 2656-6800, Fax (011) 2651-9080
E-mail : kalchakra@vsnl.com

His Holiness Sri Ramesh Baba of Gahvarvan Barsana says that “All the prominent spiritual mountains which find mention in Hindu scriptures have their replica in Braj – Trikoot, Mainak, Gandhmadan, Vindhyachal, Rohitanchal etc. All the prominent pilgrim centers of India too have their replicas in Braj. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri etc lie amidst these hills of Braj.
Besides there are other heritage spots like Phisalini Shila-natural slider over which Krishna used to slide with his friends, Bhojan Thali - naturally carved stone thalis in which Krishna and his friends used to have their packed lunch, caves of Jadkhor - where Krishna took shelter with his hundreds of cowherd friends, Saugandhini Shila - by touching this rock Krishna took a vow before Brajwasis that he will never ever leave Braj. All of these and several other heritage spots are facing severe threat because of mindless minning around them. They should be protected and conserved at all costs.”

All these transcedental hills find mention in various scriptures and have been revered by seers and devotees for thousands of years. The Mine Minister of Rajasthan, Mr. Lakshmi Narayan Dave, it seems, has no understanding of the scriptures and concern for the sentiments of the devotees. He says, that his government has banned mining within the 500 meter radius of leela sthalis.
The government of Rajasthan passed an order dated 27th January 2005 to close down those quarries and crushers which lie in the 500 meter vicinity of the Braj Yatra path. The same has not been complied with till date.
Protesting sadhus say that there is no fixed Braj yatra path and it varies from sampradaya to sampradaya. In fact parikrama of every hill of Braj is performed.
Devotees feel that the rationale of banning mining in the 500 meter radius of a leela-sthali is ridiculous. If a leela-sthali is on top of one hill and other is on the other hill then by following this order the miners will leave minarets of 500 meter radii. The fact is that every hill of Braj is sacred and has been treaded by Krishna. Hence the entire range of Braj hills must be protected.

The illegal dynamite blasts on these hills throw rock, splinters and sand dust over large areas. This causes serious injuries and often kills innocent deers, peacocks, grazing cattle and local population. Without taking into consideration this ecological disaster the Rajasthan government has been blindly
granting lease for this kind of mining. These leaseholders exploit the opportunity to the maximum by violating all norms.
An investigation committee appointed by the Hon'ble Rajasthan High Court has observed in their report, "The entire hill track is being defaced and being denuded of the rocks, vegetation and plantation and the loss already incurred is irreparable and cannot be compensated by any means and in our humble opinion such unwarranted interference with ecology deserves to be stopped.

The mining activities witnessed by us has compelled us to reach a conclusion that the miners have only one motive and i.e. as to how and in which manner they can accelerate their pace of profit earning at the cost of ecology, environment and total degradation of the existing flora and fauna, exploiting the natural resources brutally and insidiously."
The report further states, "The Department of Mines is bound to take stringent action even to the extent of cancellation of the lease but unfortunately we could not find a single case which there department has initiated steps against any of the mine imposing any fine and penalty against any mine owner for not installing pillar or indicating any boundary marks at the place of mining activity".
The local people complain that their overloaded stone filled trucks perennially damage the roads of Braj. The visiting pilgrims have to bear the brunt of these bad roads.
Social activist, Sh. Radhakant Shastri, says, "Besides the spiritual significance, these hills have been central to the maintenance of ecological balance of the region. The massive and mindless mining of these hills is causing an irreparable damage to the environment of the entire region. The forest cover is getting lost. The mining activities have paved the path of heavy pollution of water resources. The vegetation and plantation of the region is getting depleted heavily. There has been marked shift in the rainfall patterns all over the region".

The Central Pollution Control Board recently conducted an inspection of the mining activities in the entire Braj region, which included the Deeg and Kaman tehsils of Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. In its report dated 14.11. 05 it has made strong observations against the Rajasthan Govt and has made the following recommedations:

(1) Ceasing of the mining activity at once, (2) Possible restoration of the area by means of filling with earth, and subsequent plantation, (3) Removal of all rock splinters from the entire area, (4) Removal of rock-blasters / all technical aids from the abandoned mining area, (5) Withdrawal / revoking of consent granted to stone-crushers, (6)Repairing of all connecting roads to all the places of religious interest as well as for local connectivity, (7) Environmental impact assessment because of such devastating activity followed by (8) Preparation of Environmental Management Plan for the entire region and implementation of the remedial measures.

This detailed report is an eye opening account of the illegal mining which is going on in Braj, specially under the Raje government, defying all laws and norms. This report confirms the allegations made by the sadhus of Braj, Brajwasis, devotees and the volunteers of Braj Rakshak Dal.

The Central Pollution Control Board recently conducted an inspection of the mining activities in the entire Braj region, which included the Deeg and Kaman tehsils of Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. In its report dated 14.11. 05 it has made strong observations against the Rajasthan Govt and has made the following recommedations:

(1) Ceasing of the mining activity at once, (2) Possible restoration of the area by means of filling with earth, and subsequent plantation, (3) Removal of all rock splinters from the entire area, (4) Removal of rock-blasters / all technical aids from the abandoned mining area, (5) Withdrawal / revoking of consent granted to stone-crushers, (6)Repairing of all connecting roads to all the places of religious interest as well as for local connectivity, (7) Environmental impact assessment because of such devastating activity followed by (8) Preparation of Environmental Management Plan for the entire region and implementation of the remedial measures.

This detailed report is an eye opening account of the illegal mining which is going on in Braj, specially under the Raje government, defying all laws and norms. This report confirms the allegations made by the sadhus of Braj, Brajwasis, devotees and the volunteers of Braj Rakshak Dal.

Christians in Jerusalem and Muslims in Mecca have preserved every symbol associated with the Christ and the Prophet while the BJP government of Rajasthan is destroying several historic sites associated with Lord Krishna in Braj

If one surveys the Kaman area one would be shocked to see the kind of destructive activities rampant over here.

Phisalini Shila
The recent glaring example is of the Phisalini Shila. It was the natural slider on which Krishna used to slide with his friends. It was intact till last year when the Television cameras of Kalchakra took its pictures. This year this 5000 years old heritage has developed major cracks due to the blasts clearly visible in the picture above. Next year the pilgrims may not find it.

Vyomasur’s cave
Vyomasur’s cave is the spot where Lord Krishna killed the Vyomasur demon. Rampant mining is going on just a few yards from the cave. Soon this cave would also be destroyed

Khatshila
Khatshila was the natural stone bed on which Lord Krishna used to take rest during the grazing of cows. For centuries saints and devotees had been circumambulating around this shila. This shila has now been reduced to dust by the mining mafia by using dynamite. The mine mafia did so to ensure free-play for them since several of their mines were operating within the 500 meter radius of this heritage site.
Charan Pahari
Charan Pahari is the hillock over which several foot prints of Krishna are impringed. This hill is also on the verge of destruction due to pervasive mining.
Cave of Jadkhor
The cave of Jadkhor was the place where Krishna hid along with his friends and cows once. The cave is quite long with entrance on one hill and exit on a far off hill. Mining activities have reached close to this cave.
Saugandhini Shila
Saugandhini Shila was the rock on which Krishna vowed to Brajwasis never to leave Braj. This shila is also fearing the threats of extinction.

Incidentally all these leela-sthalis find mention in the scriptures. Once destroyed future generations would question the validity of these scriptures. We may build new temples by spending millions but will we be able to re-create these hills in future ?

In recent months saints, devotees and Brajwasis have staged several dharnas around these hills. They chant the holy names and pray to the Lord to protect His eternal abode. Interesting enough several Muslims from the local villages also join these dharnas and demand total banning of mining in Braj. On being questioned they said that they care for the sentiments of their Hindu brothers. More importantly it is the ecological and economic consideration which has inspired them to support this cause.
It is learnt that ASI has recommended banning of mining in this area because of its heritage value. It is interesting to mention that this recommendation has come from a Muslim officer of ASI, who mentions in his report that these hills find mention in ancient Hindu scriptures and have many sites associated with Lord Krishna.
Swami Govind Teerth Maharaj of Vrindavan says “While the 500 year old Taj Mahal is given so much importance on the Heritage front, millions are spent on its maintenance and thousands have been uprooted for safeguarding its grandeur and splendor; the 5000 year old heritage of Braj is completely being ignored and neglected.”

On April 4th, 2005 over 6000 villagers gathered at the Seu village in the Bharatpur district to protest against the mindless mining in the region under the aegis of Braj Rakshak Dal. This village harbors the famous caves of Jadkhor which can accommodate over 300 people and the Saugandhini shila. The villagers submitted a memorandum to the administration to intervene and protect their heritage sites.

The growing unrest amongst the local villagers over the pervasive mining activities at Seu wasn’t taken care of by the district administration. In contrast, they continued their protection to the mining mafia. On April 21st a clash between the villagers and the mining mafia took place in which the mining mafia fired at unarmed villagers. This led to the calling of police which unfortunately took side of the mining mafia. The villagers were terrorized and provoked by 700 policemen who surrounded this village to create panic. This led to some violence. After the ugly incident villagers were harassed by the police. The women were ill-treated and were not even being allowed to cook in their kitchens. The villagers thereafter demanded an independent probe into the role of Police in this area where illegal mining is being carried out.

The mining mafia had destroyed a temple in the village recently. Their activities have endangered 5000 years old cave of Jadkhor. It is pertinent to mention that the villagers and devotees from different parts of the country regularly visit this cave for pilgrimage.

On May 7th, 2005 a seminar was organized in the Constitution Club, New Delhi which was addressed by noted environmentalist and Supreme Court Lawyer Mr. M C Mehta, Member Secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board Dr. B Sen Gupta, several representatives of NGOs, environmentalists, academicians and prominent saints of Braj.

From June 8th the Brajwasis of a large number of villages launched a protest against the brutal destruction of their heritage hills.

The same continued till July 10th and culminated in the form of a large public meeting of 25000 villagers. It was addressed by noted environmentalist and former Union Minister Ms. Maneka Gandhi. Exorting villagers to protect the sacred hills where Lord Krishna spent his childhood, Ms. Gandhi asked them to treat mine owners as outsiders and protect the hills by launching a crusade against them like “our defence forces did in Kargil". She also flayed the state BJP government for not paying heed to repeated requests by villagers and Sadhus to stop mining activities on the hills which had great historical and ecological importance.

Delhi Campaign
On 28th March 2005, the convener of Braj Rakshak Dal , Mr. Vineet Narain, wrote to the Ex-Prime Minister Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, President of BJP Mr. LK Advani, VHP President Sh. Ashok Singhal Ji, Sarsanghchalak of RSS Sh. K.S. Sudershan Ji, and other prominent leaders of BJP requesting them to intervene and protect the heritage of Braj. Although, they promptly acknowledged the letter but unfortunately, no concrete action has been taken by Ms. Raje the BJP Chief Minister of Rajasthan.

Jaipur Campaign
Sadhus, villagers and Volunteers of Braj Rakshak Dal led by Dr. Ramji Lal Shastri canvassed the entire city from 9 -16 April 2005 to educate the residents of Jaipur. Questions were raised by Mr. BD Kalla, Leader opposition in Rajasthan Assembly on this issue. Popular dailies of Rajasthan published several articles on this campaign but Raje Govt. remainded unmoved.

Punjab Campaign
Swami Krishnanand Maharaj of Benawal, campaigned throughout Punjab and sent thousands of signed letters from different towns to concerned authorities to stop unmindful mining in Braj region.

Gujarat Campaign
HH Sh. Madhavpriya Swami of Swaminarain Gurukul Rajkot campaigned in Gujarat and talked to several Vaishnav Acharyas and people of Gujarat about this desctruction. They have also appealed to the authorities.

I.I.Ts protest
Students of different IITs, professionals from Mumbai and prominent citizens and environmentalists from Chennai have also written to the authorities demanding complete ban on mining and stone crushing in Braj.

Media support
For the past one year entire Braj has been witnessing a series of protests and demonstrations to protect the hills of Lord Krishna. Several media houses like Doordarshan, Rozana, Zee News, Star News, Sahara News and other prominent national dailies have been covering this movement by BRD.

BJP leader outraged
Shri B.P. Singhal. Ex.DGP, UP Police and Ex. MP (BJP) Rajya Sabha feels strongly about this issue. In a seminar organised by BRD he said, “It is unfortunate that to protect religious heritage Hindu saints and devotees of Lord Krishna have to protest against BJP Govt. If the need be I will not hesitate in laying my life to protect these revered hills.”
Being the oldest Hindu pilgrim centre Braj should be the natural strong hold of BJP. The fact that both the MP & MLA from Mathura belong to Cong (I), it is evident that BJP has lost ground in its traditional constituency. Even then BJP has not learnt its lesson. The way BJP government is destroying Hindu heritage in Braj it will have to pay heavy price in future.

"A wide scale activism is going to protect the hills of Braj which contain innumerable heritage spots connected to Krishna but are unfortunately being blasted out by the mining mafia duly supported by the Rajasthan Government."
India Journal, USA, Sep 16, 2005

“A wider afforestation of these hills would restore the ecological balance of the region, resulting in a correction of rainfall patterns, which would, in turn prevent the westward spread of the Rajasthan desert. Revenues can also be generated from the resulting forest wealth and pasturelands in the Braj region, which offer vast potential for eco-tourism and religious tourism." Economic Times, 12th January 2005

"Illegal mining is destroying Braj bhoomi, threatening heritage sites and disturbing ecological balance of the region regarded as the mythological setting for Krishnaleela."
The Times of India, 4th Feb. 2005

“Cattle have suffered immensely since the mining has chipped away at green tracts. Some of the landscape is fabled to have been the setting for the romance of the divine lovers Krishna and Radha, depicted in many art forms.” IANS May 4, 2005
“In a rare protest in the Braj region associated with Lord Krishna, a large number of villagers are holding a round-the-clock ``Harinaam Kirtan`` since June 3 to protest against large-scale quarrying on the sacred hills, lying in the ecologically fragile Taj trapezium zone of this district, in utter contempt of the Rajasthan High Court and Supreme Court orders.”
ZEE News, July 11th, 2005

“The sacred Braj hills known for the Radha-Krishna courtship are under threat from deforestation, particularly from miner mafia which is denuding the land of all its grandeur.” Deccan Herald, May 8th, 2005

Thousands of local Brajwasis from several villages have been protesting against mining in their region. Their complain is that the Bharatpur administration is “criminally conniving” with the mining mafia and letting go the plunder of their hills to happen. Instead of ensuring the implementation of the approved mining plan it is playing hand in glove with the mafia and is harassing the village folks.
Compelled under such adverse circumstances the villagers of Bolkhera (Raj.) filed a PIL in the Rajasthan High Court.
The Hon'ble High Court appointed a 2 member investigation committee to investigate into the matter in its order dated 24.2.2004.
The exhaustive report of the committee was been vocal and explicit enough to certify the large scale illegal mining in the entire region.
Based on this report the Hon’ble Division Bench of the Hon’ble Rajasthan High its order dated May 18th, 2004 observed that,
“We express our anguish with regard to the fact that the state Government is allowing the mine operators to continue their mining operations without the requisite consent or clearance from the Pollution Control Board.
The State Government has failed in its duty to ensure the eco-friendly mining operations in the state.
In these circumstances we direct the state government to take action in accordance with law and stop the mining operations which are taking place in contravention of the provisions of law and letter and notification of the Central Government dated 27.1.1994 and 10.6.2003.
It is clear that the state has failed to ensure compliance with our orders and has allowed illegal mining to go on."
Referring to the report of the investigation committee, the Bench continued:
"The Committee has taken pains to point out that not only environment is under attack by the mining operations, even heritage is being threatened.
It is pointed out that Kaman Area of Bharatpur District has five famous Jain temples, Temple of Lord Krishna and a Cave of “Vyomasur”. These sites have not only religious importance but they are also important from point of view of heritage and archaeology. The way mining operations are being conducted, it will adversely affect the ancient temples and heritage sites.
The heritage must be protected and should not be allowed to be destroyed by illegal mining operations.
The report also refers to the grant of mining leases at Lehsar where each lease has been granted over an area of one hectare. The mining areas are adjacent to each other, resulting in the formation of one large continuous cluster.
The callous insensitivity of the State and most of the mine operators towards ecology has caused grave and irreparable injury to the environment.
The state shall ensure that illegal un-scientific and un-systematic mining operations shall not be permitted to be carried on unless mining lease holders adopt and adhere to the norms prescribed under the law and the rules"
Despite such clear cut directions and orders of the Hon’ble High Court, the Government of Rajasthan seems to be in a state of inaction.
A strong resentment among the masses is building up in the region. People are getting organized and coming to streets to protest against the brutal destruction of their hills.

Rajasthan Government gives a lame argument that if the mining of these hills is stopped then it will lose both revenue and employment. Contrary to this claim, the villagers of this region say that hardly any employment has been given to them as all the work is being done by using heavy machinery and dynamite.
They say that for thousands of years these hills have given shelter to them and have protected them in times of adversity. Laden with dense forests these hills have prevented the desertification of the region. They have ensured appropriate rainfall in Braj which facilitates a rich harvest round the year.
They also explain that the cow based economy of Braj has always been sustained by these hills. They have traditionally been the pasture lands for the cattle. Their livelihood has been supported by these natural structures for thousands of years.
In the most revered scripture Srimad Bhagwatam it is mentioned that the cows of Krishna used to graze on all the hills of Braj.

In Yajur Veda it is mentioned that whereever the cows roam and graze is Braj.

If these hills are developed as pasture lands for the cattle they would provide rich fodder and would thereby improve the economic condition of the villagers.The hills of Braj have a sloping area of around 72 sq. kms which translates into 17,800 acres. At an average cost of Rs 10,000 per acre these hills can be developed into pasture lands. Thus, with an investment of Rs 18 crore all the hills of Braj can be groomed into green pasture land. Out of this amount of 18 crore the majority chunk would be spent on human labour. Hence without destroying the hills tremendous employment would be generated.
According to the experts engaged by Braj Rakshak Dal one acre land produces around 7,200 kg of grass annually. Thus, the hills of Braj would provide around 1.3 lakh ton of grass. Even by the rate of Rs 1.5 per kg this much grass would earn a revenue of Rs 19 crore 22 lakhs annually.
It is reliably learnt that the Rajasthan government is getting only around 7 crore rupees in revenue from the mining of these hills. The project coordinator of Braj Rakshak Dal Mr. Raghav Mittal (B.Tech, M.Tech, IIT KGP) says, "It is clear that the mining of hills is not justified from even the economic considerations. If these hills are protected and developed as pasture lands then the economy of the region will get a major boost. "
Shri Ramesh Baba of Barsana, who has been crusading for the past 52 years, against vested interests, to protect the natural heritage of Braj, said, “A wider afforestation of these hills and their development as pasture land will would restore the ecological balance of the region resulting in the growth of dairy industry, which is the traditional occupation of the land of Gopal”.
Unfortunately the hazardous synthetic milk is being openly sold in Braj where millions of pilgrims come in the hope of getting pure milk of cows.
Eco Tourism
As As Braj falls within the golden triangle of Delhi, Agra Jaipur the entire region can be groomed as a happening eco-tourism destination. In the backdrop of these hills, Braj can offer a wonderful experience with its rich culture and vast heritage. Irony is that by paying peanuts as revenue the mine mafia is taking away a huge chunk of stone from the region causing irreparable loss.