Aravalli Hills: Aravalli Under Threat: The Shrinking Mountain Range and Its History Since 1990

The Aravalli mountain range, a vital natural barrier for Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, is facing an existential crisis. Relentless mining activities have caused this ancient mountain range to shrink continuously, raising profound concerns among environmentalists and the general public, while in some states, the situation has become so dire that half or, in certain areas, entire hills of the Aravalli have vanished. Extensive extraction of stones through mining has left parts of the Aravalli in a skeletal state. This issue, which has been at the heart of environmental conservation debates for decades, has once again gained prominence following a recent Supreme Court ruling. Social media campaigns are also underway to save the Aravalli, underscoring its critical ecological importance.

Rising Mining Complaints and Early Interventions (1990-2002)

In the 1990s, complaints of illegal mining in the Aravalli region began to escalate rapidly. These activities led to severe environmental degradation, air pollution, and water scarcity, profoundly impacting the ecosystem of the region. Responding to these concerns, the Supreme Court intervened for the first time in 1992, imposing a ban on mining in certain specific areas of the Aravalli. However, broader restrictions came into effect only in the 2000s. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) was formed to investigate complaints of illegal mining in the Aravalli range in Kot and Alampur, Haryana, while in October 2002, the CEC's report found that mining was destroying hills and causing irreparable damage to the environment, leading to a complete ban on mining in the Aravalli in Haryana and Rajasthan.

Vasundhara Raje Government and Increased Mining Activities (2003-2005)

Following the CEC's recommendations and the Supreme Court's complete ban, the then Ashok Gehlot government appealed to the Supreme Court. The Court allowed mining to continue on existing leases in Rajasthan but prohibited new ones. This decision offered temporary relief to the mining industry, but environmentalists deemed it. Insufficient, arguing that it failed to address the root cause of the problem. To resolve this crisis, the Gehlot government formed a committee in 2003, while this committee adopted the principle of American geomorphologist Richard Murphy, which defined the Aravalli as hills with an elevation of 100 meters or more above sea level. Hills below 100 meters weren't considered part of the Aravalli and were declared eligible for mining.

This formula proved highly controversial, as it opened up many lower-lying areas of the Aravalli for mining, delivering a significant blow to environmental conservation efforts. In December 2003, Vasundhara Raje came to power, and during her tenure, mining leases began to be granted based on the same Murphy formula. This policy led to a rapid increase in mining activities, further deepening environmental concerns. While the mining lobby Notably benefited from this formula, its devastating impact on the fragile Aravalli ecosystem became increasingly evident. The matter once again reached the Supreme Court, where petitions were filed advocating for environmental protection.

New Supreme Court Bans and Mandatory Environmental Assessment (2005-2009)

Responding to a petition filed by the Bandhua Mukti Morcha, the Supreme Court imposed a ban on new mining leases in April 2005. The Court prioritized environmental protection, unequivocally stating that mining activities couldn't be permitted without proper environmental assessment, while this ruling marked a crucial step towards environmental conservation. Subsequently, in 2009, the Supreme Court imposed a complete ban. On mining in the Faridabad, Gurugram, and Mewat districts of Haryana. This decision was a significant and decisive move against illegal mining and. The severe environmental damage it caused, effectively curbing mining activities in these areas.

Forest Survey of India Report and the New Aravalli Definition (2010-2025)

In 2010, a report by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) revealed alarming findings. The report indicated that illegal mining was destroying many hills of the Aravalli in Rajasthan, with the situation being particularly severe in the Alwar and Sirohi districts. The Supreme Court took cognizance of this report and issued detailed directives for a proper definition and conservation of the Aravalli. In November 2025 (as mentioned in the source text), the Central Government adopted the Murphy formula to provide a new definition for the Aravalli. Under this definition, a hill with an elevation of 100 meters or more would be considered Aravalli, and an area up to 500 meters between two such hills would be protected. On November 20, 2025, the Supreme Court approved this definition and implemented it across the entire Aravalli region.

The Polygon Line to Contour Line Shift Controversy (2008-2025)

A major point of contention in this entire dispute is the change from the Polygon Line to the Contour Line. In the 2008 GSI (Geological Survey of India) survey, the Polygon Line was used as the basis, where a hill less than 100 meters high situated between two hills of 100 meters or more was also considered part of the polygon. These polygons were treated as part of the main hills and thus protected, extending security to smaller hilly areas, while however, in 2025, this was changed to the Contour Line, where a smaller hill along the same line as larger hills was termed a contour, and mining would be permitted in contour areas. Environmental advocates argue that this change will open up approximately 90 percent of the Aravalli for mining, which could prove catastrophic for the ecosystem.

Politicization of Aravalli and Future Concerns

The Aravalli dispute has now become a political issue. The mining lobby is very powerful in Haryana and Rajasthan, constantly striving to advance its interests. On the other hand, environmental groups like Bandhua Mukti Morcha and other NGOs are fighting this battle in the courts. There is apprehension that the Supreme Court's 2025 definition might lead to a renewed increase in mining activities, even as environmental reports continue to issue warnings. The Aravalli is a primary source of water conservation for the Delhi-NCR region, and its destruction could exacerbate the water crisis in this densely populated area.

Environment Ministry's Claim Versus Expert Disagreement

In a recent Supreme Court hearing, the Environment Ministry claimed that mining would only occur in a limited area (0, while 19 percent). However, experts consider this claim insufficient, stating that the new definition and the shift to the Contour Line will open up a large portion of the Aravalli for mining, leading to long-term environmental damage. This entire case clearly illustrates that the battle for Aravalli's conservation has been long and complex. How the balance between development and environment will be achieved remains to be seen, but there. Is hope that the Supreme Court's decisions will prioritize conservation and secure the future of the Aravalli.