Save aravali mountain

Save Aravali Mountains: A Call to Protect Our Future

The Aravali mountain range, one of the oldest fold mountains in the world, is not just a line of hills. It is a natural shield that protects North India—especially Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and parts of Gujarat—from desertification, dust storms, air pollution, and water scarcity. Yet today, the Aravalis are facing one of the most serious threats in history. Recent changes in law, political pressure, and unregulated mining have pushed this fragile ecosystem to the edge.

1. The Recent Supreme Court Decision

In November 2025, the Supreme Court of India accepted the Central Government’s new definition of what counts as an Aravali hill. According to the new rule, only those slopes that rise 100 metres or more above the surrounding ground will be officially treated as “Aravali Hills.”

This may sound like a technical change, but in reality it removes over 80–90% of the Aravali hillocks, ridges, and forested slopes from legal protection.

The Court also allowed regulated mining to continue and stopped the issue of new mining leases only until a scientific “Sustainable Mining Plan” is prepared. While the court stated that a complete ban on mining may increase illegal mining, many environmental experts believe the new definition will make it easier for private companies to exploit land that was earlier protected.

2. Why This Law Is Dangerous

The biggest danger is that small hills—those under 100 metres—play a critical ecological role. They:

act as wind barriers,

reduce dust and sand movement,

help groundwater recharge,

support unique flora and fauna,

and maintain the climate balance of the region.

Removing their protected status means these areas can now be mined, flattened, or built upon. As a result, we may see:

increased dust storms across NCR,

falling groundwater levels,

loss of wildlife habitats,

soil erosion,

and fast-approaching desertification from the Thar Desert.

In simple words: losing Aravalis means losing clean air, clean water, and natural protection.

3. The Role of Corrupt Politics

The Aravalis have long been victims of political pressure, real-estate interests, and mining lobbies. Illegal mining in the region is estimated to be worth thousands of crores every year. Whenever environmental laws become strict, political groups and private companies pressure governments to dilute them.

Many environmentalists argue that the new definition of the Aravalis was made not for protection, but for clearing land for mining, roads, and real-estate development. The weaker the law, the easier it becomes for influential groups to take control of land that should belong to nature and the public.

Corruption ensures that forest land is misclassified, mining continues even during bans, and powerful families acquire hill areas for private projects. Unfortunately, ordinary citizens pay the price through pollution, water shortages, and climate disasters.

4. What We Must Do Now

Saving the Aravalis is not only the government’s responsibility—it is ours as well. We must:

1. Raise public awareness through campaigns, schools, colleges, and social media.

2. Support environmental groups working to protect forest land and stop illegal mining.

3. Demand transparency in the preparation of the Sustainable Mining Plan.

4. Put pressure on leaders to prioritise environment over private profit.

5. Speak up for clean air, clean water, and protection of natural heritage.

Based on an internal assessment by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) concerning a proposed 100-meter elevation rule:

 * In Rajasthan, which has the highest area under the Aravallis:

   * The FSI indicated there are 1,07,498 Aravalli hills.

   * Only 1,048 of these are more than 100 meters above the local ground level.

   * This means that approximately 99% of the Aravalli hills in Rajasthan are under 100 meters in height above the local ground level.

Another FSI document, which mapped 12,081 hills (20 meters or higher) across 15 districts in Rajasthan, showed that only 1,048 met the 100-meter criterion. This suggests that 11,033 hills in that specific set were below 100 meters.

While the total number across all states (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi) would be higher than the Rajasthan count, the data clearly shows that the vast majority of the numerous Aravalli hill features are under 100 meters in elevation above their local surroundings.

The Aravali mountains have protected us for millions of years. Now they need our protection. The recent legal changes and political interference may benefit a few powerful interests, but they threaten the lives and future of millions. Protecting the Aravalis is not just an environmental issue—it is a fight for health, safety, and survival. If we lose the Aravalis, we lose our shield, our forests, and our natural future.