Why India's Aravalli Mountain Range Are at the Centre of Increasing Protests.

Demonstrations have broken out across the northern part of the country after the nation's top court issued a new definition for the Aravalli hills – one of the world's oldest mountain ranges stretching across the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and the capital territory.

As per the revised criteria, accepted by the court based on central government recommendations, an Aravalli hill is any geographical feature rising at least 100 metres (328 ft) above the adjacent land. Two or more such hills less than half a kilometre of each other, combined with the land between them, are classified as an Aravalli range.

Environmentalists argue that defining Aravalli hills by height potentially excludes numerous shorter, vegetation-clad but ecologically critical hills vulnerable to quarrying and development.

The central administration, on the other hand, states that the new definition is meant to tighten controls and bring uniformity and not weaken safeguards.

What is Sparking the Demonstrations?

Over the past few days, peaceful protests were held in cities such as Gurugram and Udaipur, organized by local residents, farmers, environmental activists, and, at times, lawyers and political groups.

A founder member of a key conservation collective stated that the new definition risks undermining 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 stopping desert creep, recharging groundwater and sustaining communities as per experts.

"The Aravalli range must not be categorized solely by elevation, but by its ecological, geological and climatic function," said an ecology advocate involved in the campaign to preserve the Aravallis.

He pointed out that, globally, mountain ranges are classified by the functions they perform, not by arbitrary elevation thresholds.

"Any feature that is geologically part of the Aravalli system and plays a critical role in ecology or preventing desertification should be recognised as a component of the system, irrespective of its height."

Activists are demanding that the government define Aravalli areas using scientific criteria, including topography, biodiversity, animal corridors and environmental durability.

A campaigner cautioned that the court's new definition could encourage extractive industries, development and business projects, heightening the threat of environmental harm.

Political opponents have ramped up their censure, warning that the new definition might lead to serious ecological damage.

One political leader declared that safeguarding the Aravallis is "inseparable from Delhi's survival." A different official described the range the state's "lifeline," adding that without it, "a vast region up to Delhi would have become a desert."

Official Position

India's federal government has attempted to minimize these apprehensions.

In a official release, it asserted the new definition is meant to strengthen regulation and create standardization, noting that a single, objective definition was required to regulate mining consistently across states.

It further stated that the new definition covers the entire hill system – incorporating slopes, associated landforms, and connecting zones – clearly safeguarding hill clusters and their linkages.

The federal environment ministry clarified it is incorrect to presume that mining will be allowed on all landforms under 100 metres.

The government says areas within the Aravalli hills or ranges are not eligible for new mining leases, while current operations can continue if they adhere to sustainable mining norms.

It noted that mining remains prohibited in core "inviolate" areas – reserved woodlands, eco-sensitive zones, and wetlands – aside from certain essential, national security, and nuclear minerals allowed by law.

The minister responsible for ecology indicated only about 2% of the vast Aravalli range might be open to extraction, and only after detailed studies and official approval.

Nevertheless, several of the demonstrating organizations contend that demonstrations will continue and that they are considering legal options to contest the court's new definition.