The Reason The Nation's Aravalli Hills Are at the Centre of Escalating Demonstrations.
Protests have erupted across northern India after the nation's top court redefined the Aravalli hills – one of the world's oldest mountain ranges stretching across the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and the capital territory.
According to the fresh parameters, endorsed by the court based on federal government recommendations, an Aravalli hill is any landform with a minimum elevation of 100 metres (328 ft) from the adjacent land. A cluster of such hills within 500 metres of each other, along with the land between them, are classified as an Aravalli range.
Conservationists contend that classifying Aravalli hills based on elevation risks leaving many lower, scrub-covered but ecologically critical hills vulnerable to quarrying and development.
The federal government, however, states that the revised definition is intended to enhance oversight and establish consistency and not weaken protections.
What is Sparking the Demonstrations?
Over the past few days, calm demonstrations occurred in cities including Gurugram and Udaipur, organized by community members, farmers, environmental activists, and, in some cases, lawyers and political parties.
An organizing member of a key environmental group remarked that the new definition threatens to compromise the essential function of the Aravalli range in "preventing desertification, replenishing aquifers and protecting livelihoods" in the northwestern region.
The lower, scrub-covered hills perform a crucial function in preventing desertification, recharging groundwater and supporting livelihoods according to experts.
"The Aravalli range must not be categorized solely by elevation, but by its ecological, geological and climatic function," noted an ecology advocate associated with the campaign to preserve the Aravallis.
He said that, globally, mountain ranges are classified by the roles they play, not by arbitrary elevation thresholds.
"Any feature that is structurally a component of the Aravalli system and serves a vital purpose in ecology or combating desertification must be acknowledged as a component of the system, irrespective of its height."
Activists are demanding that the government delineate Aravalli areas using scientific criteria, including topography, biodiversity, animal corridors and environmental durability.
A campaigner cautioned that the court's new definition might promote extractive industries, development and business projects, increasing the risk of ecological damage.
Opposition parties have stepped up criticism, cautioning that the new definition might lead to significant environmental degradation.
One political leader declared that safeguarding the Aravallis is "fundamentally linked to Delhi's survival." Another leader called the range the state's "lifeline," adding that without it, "the entire area up to Delhi would have become a desert."
The Government's Stance
India's federal government has attempted to minimize these apprehensions.
In a official release, it asserted the new definition is meant to bolster governance and bring uniformity, adding that a single, objective definition was needed to regulate mining consistently across states.
It further stated that the new definition encompasses the entire hill system – incorporating slopes, associated landforms, and connecting zones – clearly safeguarding hill clusters and their linkages.
The federal environment ministry said it is incorrect to presume that mining will be allowed on all landforms under 100 metres.
The government states areas inside the Aravalli hills or ranges are excluded from new mining leases, while current operations can continue if they adhere to environmentally sound practices.
It noted that mining remains banned in core "inviolate" areas – reserved woodlands, eco-sensitive zones, and wetlands – except for certain essential, national security, and nuclear minerals permitted by law.
The Environment Minister indicated only about 2% of the vast Aravalli range could potentially be mined, and only after detailed studies and official approval.
However, several of the protesting groups say that demonstrations will continue and that they are exploring judicial avenues to contest the court's new definition.
