The Reason The Nation's Aravalli Hills Are at the Centre of Increasing Unrest.

Unrest has flared across the northern part of the country after the Supreme Court redefined the Aravalli hills – among the planet's most ancient mountain ranges stretching across the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and the capital territory.

As per the revised criteria, endorsed by the court following central government suggestions, an Aravalli hill is any geographical feature rising at least 100 metres (328 ft) from the surrounding terrain. Two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other, along with the land between them, are classified as an Aravalli range.

Environmentalists argue that defining Aravalli hills based on elevation could leave many shorter, vegetation-clad but vitally important hills unprotected from quarrying and development.

The central administration, on the other hand, states that the revised definition is intended to tighten controls and bring uniformity and not dilute protections.

The Roots of the Unrest

Over the past few days, peaceful protests took place in cities including Gurugram and Udaipur, led by community members, farmers, environmental activists, and, in some cases, lawyers and political parties.

An organizing member of a prominent conservation collective stated that the new definition threatens to compromise the essential function of the Aravalli range in "halting desert expansion, replenishing aquifers and protecting livelihoods" in northwest India.

The shorter, vegetated hills perform a crucial function in stopping desert creep, boosting water tables and supporting livelihoods as per experts.

"The Aravalli range should not be defined by height alone, but by its environmental, physical and weather-related function," said an ecology advocate associated with the movement to preserve the Aravallis.

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

"Any landform that is geologically part of the Aravalli system and serves a vital purpose in the ecosystem or combating desertification must be acknowledged as a component of the system, regardless of its height."

Activists are demanding that the government delineate Aravalli areas using scientific criteria, including topography, ecology, wildlife connectivity and environmental durability.

A campaigner cautioned that the court's new definition might promote mining, construction and commercial activity, heightening the threat of environmental harm.

Political opponents have stepped up criticism, cautioning that the new definition could cause significant environmental degradation.

A senior politician said that protecting the Aravallis is "fundamentally linked to Delhi's survival." Another leader described the range the state's "life-support system," adding 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 said the new definition is meant to strengthen regulation and bring uniformity, adding that a single, objective definition was needed to regulate mining uniformly across states.

It added that the new definition encompasses the entire hill system – including slopes, related features, and intervening areas – clearly safeguarding hill clusters and their linkages.

The national environment department clarified it is incorrect to presume that mining will be permitted on all landforms under 100 metres.

The government says areas within the Aravalli hills or ranges are excluded from new mining leases, while existing ones can continue if they adhere to sustainable mining norms.

It added that mining remains banned in core "protected" areas – reserved woodlands, environmentally fragile zones, and wetlands – aside from certain essential, national security, and nuclear minerals permitted by law.

The minister responsible for ecology indicated only about two percent of the vast Aravalli range could potentially be mined, and only after detailed studies and formal clearance.

Nevertheless, several of the protesting groups say that demonstrations will continue and that they are considering legal options to challenge the court's new definition.