Rajasthan Cong, activists welcomes SC decision to stay '100-metre definition' of Aravallis
Jaipur (PTI): Rajasthan Congress leaders and environmental activists on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to stay its November 20 order on the new definition of the Aravalli range, terming it a victory for all those fighting for the protection of the hills for the past month.
The apex court kept in abeyance the directions in its November 20 verdict that had accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges recommended by a committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It also proposed to constitute a high-powered committee comprising domain experts to undertake an exhaustive and holistic examination of the issue.
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The committee had recommended that Aravalli Hill be defined as any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above its local relief, and the Aravalli Range will be a collection of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other.
The Congress and environmental activists had strongly opposed the redefinition and raised concerns over it, claiming that this would lead to destroying the hills by opening them to mining, real estate and other projects.
Following the top court's latest directive on the issue, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot termed it a significant step toward preserving the region's environmental integrity.
"The Supreme Court's decision is a welcome move. In view of the current environmental challenges, it is essential to plan for the Aravalli region's future with a long-term vision, considering the next century," he said.
Gehlot also called on the environment minister to prioritise environmental concerns over plans to increase mining in the Aravalli range. "Thoughts of increasing mining in the Aravalli range, including in Sariska, are dangerous for the future," he said.
Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully described the Supreme Court's order as a major victory for the people. "This is a victory for all those who have been fighting for the protection of the Aravalli range for the past month," he said and expressed hope that the Supreme Court would soon issue a historic judgment ensuring the long-term preservation of the Aravallis.
The Aravalli Virasat Jan Abhiyan, a group of activists leading the charge for the region's protection, also voiced its satisfaction with the Supreme Court's decision.
"This order is a crucial development in our ongoing campaign to protect the Aravallis. We will continue our fight for the preservation of this natural heritage," the group said in a statement.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
