The Reason The Nation's Aravalli Mountain Range Are at the Centre of Increasing Protests.

Unrest has flared across the northern part of the country after the Supreme 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.

Under the new definition, accepted by the court based on central government suggestions, an Aravalli hill is any geographical feature rising at least 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 considered an Aravalli range.

Conservationists contend that classifying Aravalli hills based on elevation risks leaving numerous lower, scrub-covered but vitally important hills unprotected from mining and construction.

The federal government, however, maintains that the revised definition is meant to strengthen regulation and establish consistency and not weaken safeguards.

What is Sparking the Demonstrations?

Over the past few days, calm demonstrations occurred in cities including Gurugram and Udaipur, organized by local residents, farmers, environmental activists, and, at times, lawyers and political parties.

A founder member of a prominent environmental group remarked that the new definition risks undermining the essential function of the Aravalli range in "halting desert expansion, recharging groundwater and safeguarding local economies" in the northwestern region.

The shorter, vegetated hills perform a crucial function in preventing desertification, recharging groundwater and supporting livelihoods as per experts.

"This mountain system should not be defined solely by elevation, but by its environmental, physical and weather-related function," said an ecology advocate involved in the campaign to save the Aravallis.

He pointed out that, internationally, mountain ranges are classified by the functions they perform, not by random height benchmarks.

"Any landform that is structurally a component 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."

Protesters are calling for that the government define Aravalli areas using research-based parameters, including topography, biodiversity, animal corridors and climate resilience.

One activist warned that the court's new definition could encourage extractive industries, development and business projects, increasing the risk of ecological damage.

Opposition parties have stepped up criticism, cautioning that the new definition could cause serious ecological damage.

One political leader declared that protecting the Aravallis is "inseparable from Delhi's survival." A different official described the range the state's "life-support system," stating that without it, "the entire area up to Delhi would have become a desert."

Official Position

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

In a recent statement, it said the new definition is meant to strengthen regulation and bring uniformity, adding that a clear, unambiguous definition was needed to oversee extraction consistently across states.

It further stated that the new definition encompasses the whole mountainous region – incorporating slopes, related features, and intervening areas – clearly safeguarding hill clusters and their linkages.

The national environment department said it is wrong to presume that mining will be allowed on all landforms under 100 metres.

The government states areas within the Aravalli hills or ranges are excluded from new mining leases, while current operations can continue if they follow environmentally sound practices.

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

The minister responsible for ecology said only about two percent of the vast Aravalli range could potentially be mined, and only after comprehensive assessments and official approval.

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