India, Dec. 22 -- Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said the Aravalli Mountain range have to be protected to stop Delhi-NCR from becoming the "world's pollution Capital". Yadav warned that tourism, major international sporting events such as the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, would become impossible in Delhi if the pollution situation continued.

The Aravallis act as a natural shield for the National Capital Region (NCR) and play a crucial role in reducing air pollution, regulating temperature, aiding rainfall and conserving biodiversity, the SP leader said.

"If the Aravallis survive, the NCR will survive. The Aravallis are essential for protecting the environment and restoring ecological balance," he said. "It can hel...