Aravalli Hills: Why is Aravali in the news due to a 'Supreme' order, how did the campaign for its conservation become an issue?

The Aravalli mountain range, one of the world's oldest geological formations, has recently become the focal point of a nationwide debate following a significant Supreme Court order, while this judicial pronouncement has ignited the 'Save Aravalli Campaign' across social media platforms and stirred considerable political discourse. The controversy originated from a petition filed in the Supreme Court concerning mining activities near the Aravalli hills, and the subsequent response from the central government, leading to the apex court's crucial decision regarding the definition of the Aravallis.

The Aravalli Mountain Range: An Ancient Heritage and Its Significance

The Aravalli mountain range is often cited as one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, estimated to be around two billion years old, making it the oldest in India. It serves as a vital ecological barrier, protecting the Indo-Gangetic plains from the encroaching desert sands. Scientists believe that without this mountain range, the northern regions of India would have begun transforming into a desert, as it effectively prevents the Thar Desert from expanding further north into Haryana, Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh. Beyond its role as a desert barrier, the Aravallis play a crucial part in balancing the climate between the Thar Desert and the rest of the region. Also, this range is indispensable for managing biodiversity and groundwater across the entire area. The approximately 650-kilometer stretch from Delhi to Gujarat relies on the Aravallis for maintaining its natural diversity. It's also the source of several important rivers, including the Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni. Geologically, the range is rich in valuable minerals such as sandstone, limestone, marble,. And granite, and also contains deposits of lead, zinc, copper, gold, and tungsten.

The Growing Crisis of Mining and Environmental Impact

The exploitation of the Aravallis began due to its rich mineral deposits. Historically, extensive mining has occurred in the Aravallis, but in the. Past four decades, the extraction of stone and sand has Importantly increased. This uncontrolled mining severely impacts air quality, leading to a deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) in surrounding states, while Also, mining activities are negatively affecting groundwater levels in adjacent areas. Due to these severe conditions, mining has been declared illegal in various parts of the Aravallis at different times.

Past Conservation Efforts and the 'Green Wall Project'

Significant steps have been taken in the past to conserve the Aravallis. In March 2025, a committee unequivocally stated that mining should be completely halted in environmentally sensitive areas. The committee also proposed strict regulations for stone-crushing units and recommended that no new mining leases be granted, nor old ones renewed, until a comprehensive mapping of the entire Aravalli range in all states is completed and its impact report finalized. Following this, in June 2025, the central government launched the 'Green Wall Project. ' This initiative aims to create a five-kilometer forest buffer zone around the Aravalli hills in 29 districts across four states within the range. The government stated that this project would help restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.

Supreme Court's New Order and the Root of the Controversy

The primary reason for the recent spotlight on the Aravalli range is a crucial observation by the Supreme Court. The Court noted that various states, and even expert groups including the Forest Survey of India (FSI), were using different standards to identify the Aravalli mountain range. In 2010, the FSI had defined Aravalli hills as those with a slope greater than three degrees, a height above 100 meters, and a distance of 500 meters between two hills. However, many taller hills didn't meet these criteria. To resolve this inconsistency, the Supreme Court formed a new committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Environment, FSI, state forest departments, the Geological Survey of India (GSI), and its own committee. This new body was tasked with defining the Aravallis clearly. In 2025, this committee submitted its report to the Supreme Court.

On November 20, the Supreme Court ruled that only hills exceeding 100 meters in height would henceforth be considered part of the Aravalli mountain range. K, while parameshwar, the Amicus Curiae appointed by the Court, objected to this decision, arguing that this definition is too narrow and would render all hills below 100 meters eligible for mining, thereby negatively impacting the entire range. However, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati countered this, arguing that the FSI's older standards excluded an even larger area of the Aravallis from the definition of a mountain, making the committee's proposal of a 100-meter height criterion more appropriate, while after hearing all arguments, the Supreme Court issued directives to formulate a better management plan for the Aravalli mountain range, which will identify areas where mining is completely prohibited and those where only limited or regulated mining will be permitted.

Potential Impact of the New Standards

If these new standards set by the Supreme Court are implemented, a significant portion of the Aravallis will be profoundly affected. Out of the total 670-kilometer stretch of the Aravallis, approximately 550 kilometers fall within Rajasthan. Experts emphasize that the Aravallis aren't merely about height but represent an entire ecosystem. According to government and technical studies, nearly 90 percent of the Aravalli hills in Rajasthan don't meet the 100-meter height criterion. This implies that only about 8 to 10 percent of the state's hills would be legally recognized as 'Aravalli,' while the remaining approximately 90 percent could fall outside the purview of conservation laws. Environmentalists believe that this battle isn't confined to courts or governments but is a shared societal responsibility. Damage to the Aravallis could be permanent, as it takes centuries to restore mountains once they're cut and water channels disrupted. That's why, public awareness and raising questions have become essential for securing the future.

Views of Government Officials

On this matter, Dinesh Gupta, former Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI), shared his perspective, while he stated that in 2008, the Supreme Court had formed a GSI committee to delineate the boundaries of mining activities in the Aravallis, of which he was a member. According to Gupta, the committee submitted a report to the Supreme Court in 2008, suggesting that the 100-meter contour level in the Aravallis be considered 'non-Aravalli,' with the rest being part of the range. The Supreme Court had accepted this report, but the matter didn't progress further due to protests from environmental activists. He also commented that the statements being made in this regard are misleading, and mining in the Aravallis doesn't necessarily lead to desertification, as there are several other reasons for desert expansion.

Political Repercussions

Following the Supreme Court's decision, this issue has transformed into a major campaign led by environmentalists and opposition parties. The 'Save Aravalli' campaign has commenced nationwide, with former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot leading the charge in the state, while gehlot expressed deep concern, stating that if the situation is so dire with the Aravallis intact, the imagination of a future without them is terrifying. He highlighted the Aravallis as the primary basis for water conservation,. Explaining that its rocks recharge groundwater by allowing rainwater to seep underground. He warned that if the mountains are destroyed, there will be a severe shortage of. Drinking water in the future, wildlife will disappear, and the entire ecology will be jeopardized. Gehlot scientifically described the Aravallis as a continuous range, asserting that its smaller hills are as crucial as its larger peaks. He cautioned that if even a single brick is removed.

From this natural wall, its protective integrity will be compromised. Calling the Aravallis a 'Green Wall' created by nature, Gehlot stated that it prevents the sand and hot. Winds (loo) of the Thar Desert from advancing towards the fertile plains of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. He warned that if 'gapping areas' or smaller hills are opened for mining, the desert will reach our doorstep, leading to an unprecedented rise in temperatures. He added that these hills and their forests act as the lungs for the NCR and surrounding cities, preventing dust storms and playing a vital role in reducing pollution. On the other hand, the BJP is accusing the Congress of politicizing the issue. Bhupender Yadav, BJP MP from Alwar and Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, stated at an event that the 1968 Land Reform Report was presented during Ashok Gehlot's tenure in 2002, and now he's submitting memorandums on this matter. Meanwhile

Statement of BJP leader Rajendra Rathod

Some BJP leaders have also questioned the government's intentions. Rajendra Rathore, a senior BJP leader and former cabinet minister in Rajasthan, stated that the government should file a review petition in the Supreme Court regarding the Aravallis. He argued that the definition of Aravallis shouldn't be limited to a technical. Height parameter, as lower hills, ridge structures, and connected landforms are equally ecologically important. Rathore warned that if the scope of legal recognition becomes too narrow, conservation efforts could be weakened, and the environmental protection system established over the past three decades could be affected, hence the government should file a review petition. This entire issue has now become a major environmental and political debate with potentially far-reaching consequences.