Why The Nation's Aravalli Mountain Range Are at the Centre of Increasing Demonstrations.

Protests have erupted 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 spanning the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi.

As per the revised criteria, approved by the court following federal government recommendations, an Aravalli hill is any geographical feature with a minimum elevation of 100 metres (328 ft) from the surrounding terrain. Two or more such hills less than half a kilometre of each other, along with the land between them, are classified as an Aravalli range.

Conservationists contend that defining Aravalli hills based on elevation potentially excludes many shorter, vegetation-clad but vitally important hills vulnerable to mining and construction.

The federal government, on the other hand, says that the revised definition is intended to enhance oversight and establish consistency and not weaken protections.

What is Sparking the Demonstrations?

This weekend, calm demonstrations occurred in cities including Gurugram and Udaipur, organized by local residents, farmers, green activists, and, in some cases, lawyers and political parties.

An organizing member of a key conservation collective stated that the new definition risks undermining the essential function of the Aravalli range in "halting desert expansion, replenishing aquifers 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 must not be categorized solely by elevation, but by its environmental, physical and weather-related purpose," noted an environmental activist involved in the campaign to save the Aravallis.

He added that, internationally, mountains and hill systems are identified by the roles they play, not by arbitrary elevation thresholds.

"Any landform that is geologically part of the Aravalli system and serves a vital purpose in the ecosystem or combating desertification should be recognised as part of the range, irrespective of its height."

Protesters are calling for that the government define Aravalli areas using research-based parameters, encompassing topography, ecology, animal corridors and environmental durability.

A campaigner cautioned that the court's new definition might promote extractive industries, development and business projects, heightening the risk of environmental harm.

Political opponents have ramped up their censure, cautioning that the new definition could cause significant environmental degradation.

A senior politician said that safeguarding the Aravallis is "fundamentally linked to Delhi's survival." A different official called the range the state's "lifeline," stating that without it, "the entire area up to Delhi would have turned into a desert."

Official Position

India's central government has sought to downplay these apprehensions.

In a recent communication, it asserted the new definition is meant to strengthen regulation and create standardization, adding that a clear, unambiguous definition was required to regulate mining consistently across states.

It further stated that the new definition covers the entire hill system – including slopes, related features, and connecting zones – clearly safeguarding hill clusters and their linkages.

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

The government states areas within the Aravalli hills or ranges are not eligible for new mining leases, while current operations can continue if they follow environmentally sound practices.

It noted that mining remains banned in core "inviolate" areas – protected forests, environmentally fragile zones, and wetlands – aside from certain critical, strategic, and atomic minerals allowed by law.

The Environment Minister said only about two percent of the vast Aravalli range could potentially be mined, and only after comprehensive assessments and formal clearance.

However, many of the protesting groups contend that protests will persist and that they are considering legal options to contest the court's new definition.