'Save Aravalli campaign' floods X: Why has the Supreme Court's ruling on Aravallis mountain range triggered an alarm and why experts call it 'death warrant
'Save Aravalli campaign' floods X: Why has the Supreme Court's ruling on Aravallis mountain range triggered an alarm and why experts call it 'death warrant'? Explained
Mountains older than memory: How new 'definition' of Aravalli risks undercutting 'Viksit Bharat
Mountains older than memory: How new 'definition' of Aravalli risks undercutting 'Viksit Bharat
Government says, there is no imminent threat to Aravallis ecology as over 90% of Aravalli region remains
Government says, there is no imminent threat to Aravallis ecology as over 90% of Aravalli region remains protected
Will increase mining-free zones in Aravalis: Centre
Will increase mining-free zones in Aravalis: Centre
10 times courts intervened to protect Aravalli hills
10 times courts intervened to protect Aravalli hills
Why has the new definition of the Aravalli hills triggered a protest? What activists say |
Union min's Aravalli mining claims contradict govt plans
Union min's Aravalli mining claims contradict govt plans
🏛️ Supreme Court Redefinition & Controversy
The Supreme Court of India has accepted a new uniform legal definition of what constitutes the Aravalli Hills and Range — focusing on landforms with ≥100 m elevation above local terrain and clusters of such hills within 500 m. This decision was made to unify protection criteria across states.
This new definition has sparked widespread protest from environmentalists, activists, and political leaders from Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and beyond, who argue it could weaken protections for ecologically critical low-lying hills.
🌱 Environmental Concerns
Critics say the height-based definition may leave many parts of the ancient and ecologically vital Aravalli ecosystem vulnerable to mining, urbanization, and deforestation, potentially worsening local environmental conditions like groundwater depletion and desertification.
🏛️ Government Response
The Central Government and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change have reassured that there is no imminent ecological threat, and that over 90 % of the Aravalli area will remain protected under the new framework.
Officials have also directed states to ban any new mining leases across the entire Aravalli range to prevent further unregulated extraction.
There are contradictions reported between official mining figures and government claims about the extent and impact of mining in Rajasthan’s sector of the Aravallis, raising questions over policy coherence.
🗳️ Political & Public Responses
Political leaders, including in Rajasthan, have threatened mass agitation and strongly criticized the redefinition as favoring mining interests.
Some state leaders (like Rajasthan’s Chief Minister) promise not to allow tampering with the Aravallis, emphasizing the range’s ecological and cultural importarnce
📌 Background
The Aravali Hills are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, spanning from Delhi through Haryana and Rajasthan to Gujarat. They are crucial for biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and as a natural barrier against desert expansion
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