One of the most defining policy debates of our time is that of development versus environment. With India pursuing various infrastructure and economic goals, there is worry that environmental concerns may not be receiving the attention they deserve.

These issues will be explored in a panel discussion at The Hindu Huddle in Bengaluru on June 6. The session will feature Jairam Ramesh, former Union Environment Minister and Congress MP, and Dr. Krithi Karanth, conservation biologist and CEO of the Centre for Wildlife Studies. The discussion will be moderated by Gargi Rawat, Consulting Editor, NDTV.

The conversation will focus on two contrasting landscapes: the Aravalli range and Great Nicobar Island. The Aravallis, among the world’s oldest mountain systems, have long faced pressure from mining and quarrying. In 2025, after widespread protests, the Supreme Court froze new mining leases in notified areas across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. The ruling has been seen as an important step towards protecting a fragile ecosystem that plays a crucial role in groundwater recharge and combating desertification.

Meanwhile, the Great Nicobar, known for its unique biodiversity and indigenous communities, is the site of a proposed ₹72,000-crore infrastructure project aimed at creating a transshipment and defence hub. While supporters view the project as strategically important, critics have expressed concerns about its ecological impact.

The discussion will examine what these two landscapes reveal about environmental governance in India today. It will also explore whether citizen activism can influence conservation outcomes, how policymakers should assess projects involving irreversible ecological losses, and why environmental issues, such as the pollution crisis, rarely become major electoral concerns.

At the same time, it will acknowledge India’s conservation successes, including its network of tiger reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries. The discussion and questions will centre around how India can balance growth and environmental concerns in the years ahead.