Construction at Dol Ka Badh to cause ecological collapse: Civil rights group tells Rajasthan CM

By A Representative 

The National Alliance for Climate and Ecological Justice (NACEJ), a collective affiliated with the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), has appealed to Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to immediately stop all construction-related activities at Dol Ka Badh, an ecologically significant region near Jaipur Airport. In a strongly worded letter dated August 4, the alliance of grassroots activists, scientists, environmental researchers, and lawyers highlighted the irreversible ecological damage likely to result from commercial development in the area, which includes a fintech park, Unity Mall, hotels, and the Rajasthan Mandapam.

The appeal draws attention to the destruction of a forest patch comprising over 2,500 trees and home to several rare species, including the near-extinct Alexandrine parakeet and blue bulls. A recent geo-tagging survey by the Forest Department recorded over 200 trees on just one plot, contradicting RIICO’s assertion that the land is not forest or biodiversity area. Experts from Rajasthan University and the Forest Department have further documented the presence of ecologically important flora and fauna in the area.

Dol Ka Badh lies adjacent to the Dravyavati River and is identified as a crucial ecological buffer and floodplain. Environmentalists have warned that the construction project will not only harm biodiversity but also worsen Jaipur’s air quality, increase flood risk, and exacerbate traffic congestion, particularly on Tonk Road. The proposed development is estimated to bring in over 15,000 additional vehicles, which could cripple traffic movement across the city.

The letter notes that attempts to commercially exploit Dol Ka Badh date back to 1979, when land was first earmarked for industrial development. Though title to the land currently rests with RIICO, the site has repeatedly been flagged by ecologists and citizens for its rich biodiversity. Referencing recent Supreme Court observations in the Kancha Gachibowli case, NACEJ emphasized the constitutional obligation to protect urban ecological zones.

The signatories, which include prominent names like Medha Patkar, Soumya Dutta, Himanshu Thakkar, Alok Shukla, and Gabriele Dietrich, expressed solidarity with Jaipur’s citizens, who have been peacefully protesting and submitting representations for over two years. They condemned the detention of demonstrators and called for sustainable alternatives, including the establishment of an urban biodiversity park.

Calling Dol Ka Badh a vital green lung for Jaipur, the group stressed that development must not come at the cost of ecological collapse. They urged the Chief Minister to demonstrate environmental responsibility by protecting the site for current and future generations, reiterating that meaningful governance in a time of climate crisis requires decisions based on science, sustainability, and public participation.