Aravalli Hills: Supreme Court's New Definition Threatens 90% of Hills in Rajasthan, Political Uproar Intensifies

The Aravalli Range, one of India's oldest mountain systems, stands at the precipice of an unprecedented environmental crisis. A new interpretation by the Supreme Court regarding the definition of Aravalli. Hills has ignited a fierce political debate stretching from Delhi to Rajasthan. This new definition suggests that only structures exceeding 100 meters in height from the surrounding surface, with. Two or more such hills within a 500-meter radius, will be considered part of the Aravalli range. Experts warn that if this definition is implemented, approximately 90 percent of the Aravalli hills could lose their protected status, leading to catastrophic environmental consequences.

The Controversial New Definition and Its Implications

The Supreme Court, reportedly accepting a recommendation from the central government, has introduced a new criterion for identifying Aravalli hills. Under this criterion, only those hills that are at least 100 meters high from the surrounding ground and have two or more such hills within a 500-meter radius will be recognized as part of the Aravalli range. This redefinition has raised significant concerns among environmentalists and experts who argue that it deviates drastically from the actual geographical and ecological characteristics of the Aravalli. They believe that this legal redefinition could effectively dismantle the mountain. Range's existing protection framework, paving the way for its rapid degradation.

Rajasthan Faces Imminent Environmental Catastrophe

Rajasthan, which hosts approximately 80 percent of the 692-kilometer-long Aravalli range across 15 of its districts, stands to be the most severely affected by this new definition. Out of a total of 12,081 Aravalli hills in the state, only 1,048 currently meet the 100-meter height criterion. This implies that a staggering 11,033 hills, or roughly 90 percent of the Aravalli hills in Rajasthan, would fall outside the protective ambit, while environmental experts have issued dire warnings, stating that this move isn't merely a legal technicality but a step towards the destruction of the mountain range. They predict a surge in illegal mining, unchecked real estate development, and the proliferation of hotels and farmhouses, accelerating desertification, while these activities would directly impact monsoon patterns, exacerbate water scarcity in many regions, and increase the frequency and intensity of dust storms.

Aravalli: The Lifeline of Rajasthan

The emergence of the Supreme Court's new definition has triggered a significant political uproar in Rajasthan, while independent MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati has taken the issue to the national stage, writing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his letter, Bhati alleged that this order is akin to a 'red carpet' for mining mafias and warned that the destruction of the Aravalli would lead to a major environmental disaster for the entire North-West India. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has also extended his full support to the campaign, leveraging social media to mobilize public opinion and transform it into a mass movement. Both leaders emphasize that the preservation of the Aravalli isn't just an environmental concern but a matter crucial for Rajasthan's future. The Aravalli mountain range is often referred to as the 'lifeline of Rajasthan'.

Its significant presence, spanning 80 percent of its length within the state, plays a crucial role in regulating temperatures, influencing the direction of monsoon winds, and mitigating the impact of dust storms. The range also acts as a natural barrier, preventing the further expansion of the Thar Desert. Should the Aravalli degrade, it wouldn't only disrupt the state's ecological. Balance but also severely impact agriculture, water resources, and local climate patterns. The preservation of this ancient mountain range is That's why not just essential for. Rajasthan but for the environmental stability of the entire North-Western region of India.