US EditionAravalli: Why India's Ancient Hills Are at the Centre of Growing Protests
The Supreme Court's new elevation-based rule may expose key ecological areas to mining, despite government claims 90% of the Aravalli region remains protected, officials said.
- This past week the Supreme Court redefined the Aravalli hills using a 100-metre elevation test, sparking protests across northern India, including Gurugram and Udaipur, led by residents, farmers, and activists.
- Amid technical debate, the court adopted a 100-metre elevation threshold, defining an 'Aravalli Hill' as landforms of that height or more, and an 'Aravalli Range' as two or more within 500 metres, with the Forest Survey of India saying the definition covers slopes and landforms.
- Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said the new definition would protect more than 90% of the Aravalli region, while the ministry said only about 2% of the 147,000 sqkm could be mined after approvals.
- Facing protests, activists demanded immediate consultations with residents in every Aravalli block and clarity from the Environment Ministry, while several groups vowed to continue demonstrations and explore legal challenges.
- Environmentalists caution that the rule could spur mining activity, and experts say lower hills recharge groundwater, prevent desertification, and support livelihoods; Tika Ram Jully called the range Rajasthan's lifeline.
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12 Articles
The Supreme Court on 20 November 2025 said that only those peaks of the Aravalli range that are 100 metres high will be recognised as Aravalli Mountains. The Supreme Court passed this order based on the recommendations of a committee of the central government (here, here, here, here). Some media reports have claimed that due to this new definition of the Aravalli Mountains, 90% of the mountains will not be part of the Aravalli (they will come ou…
Minister should clarify number of hills in Aravalli Range per new definition, urges Aravalli Virasat Jan Abhiyaan
The Environment Ministry should hold immediate consultations with rural and urban people living in every block of every Aravalli district in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana, said the coalition group
Aravalli Redefinition Sparks Controversy, Misinformation Concerns | Science-Environment
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav defends the new definition of the Aravalli Hills amidst accusations from the Congress of misinformation. The Supreme Court's approved definition aims to curb illegal mining, though some ecologically critical areas are now excluded, sparking protests and social media campaigns.
Decoded: The Aravalli Hills controversy and what's at stake
The Supreme Court has introduced a new height-based definition for the Aravalli Hills, triggering widespread concern about ecological risks. Environmentalists and political leaders warn this may lead to increased mining and irreversible damage to the region's fragile ecosystem.
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