Aravalli Hills: Protecting Nature and Ensuring Sustainable Development

Introduction

The Aravalli Hills are one of India’s most important natural systems. Recognising their ecological value, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India passed significant orders in November–December 2025 to protect the Aravalli Hills and Ranges from unchecked mining and environmental damage. These directions were based on the recommendations of a high-level committee formed under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), which included experts and representatives from Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

The Court clearly acknowledged that the Aravallis play a vital role in preventing desertification, recharging groundwater, supporting biodiversity, and protecting the environment of North India, especially the Delhi-NCR region.

Why the Aravalli Hills Are So Important

The Aravalli range is one of the oldest mountain systems in the world, stretching from Delhi through Haryana and Rajasthan to Gujarat, covering parts of 37 districts.

Key ecological functions of the Aravallis:

• Act as a natural barrier against the expansion of the Thar Desert

• Help in groundwater recharge for wells, lakes, and rivers

• Support forests, wildlife, and biodiversity

• Improve air quality and climate regulation, especially for Delhi-NCR

• Prevent soil erosion and floods

The Supreme Court has repeatedly warned that unregulated mining in the Aravallis poses a serious threat to the ecology of the entire nation.

Supreme Court-Mandated Committee and Its Findings

To bring clarity and uniformity, the Supreme Court directed MoEF&CC to form a committee to define what exactly constitutes the Aravalli Hills and Aravalli Ranges, particularly for regulating mining.

Key findings:

• Only Rajasthan previously had a clear definition, based on a 2002 State Committee Report, which used scientific landform classification.

• Rajasthan’s rule (followed since 9 January 2006) prohibited mining on:

  • Hills rising 100 metres or more above local relief

  • Supporting slopes and adjoining landforms

• After consultations, all States unanimously agreed to adopt this 100-metre criterion uniformly across the Aravalli region.

Importantly, the Committee clarified that:

Mining is not automatically allowed in areas below 100 metres. Entire hill systems, slopes, and surrounding landforms must also be protected.

Improved and Stronger Definition Recommended

The Committee proposed improvements to make the definition more scientific, transparent, and conservation-focused.

Major improvements include:

1. Clear scientific method to determine local relief using contour lines

2. Protection of Aravalli Ranges, not just individual hills

3. Mandatory marking of hills and ranges on Survey of India maps

4. Identification of core/inviolate areas where mining is strictly banned

5. Guidelines for sustainable mining and strict action against illegal mining

The Supreme Court accepted all these recommendations in its final order dated 20 November 2025 and praised the Committee’s work.

What Is an Aravalli Hill? (Simple Explanation)

An Aravalli Hill is:

• Any landform in the Aravalli districts

• Rising 100 metres or more above the surrounding land

• Measured scientifically using the lowest contour line encircling the hill

What all is included?

• The hill peak

• Supporting slopes

• Foothills and connected landforms

This ensures the entire ecological unit is protected, not just the top of the hill.

What Is an Aravalli Range?

An Aravalli Range is formed when:

• Two or more Aravalli Hills are located within 500 metres of each other

In such cases:

• The entire area between the hills, including valleys, slopes, and small hillocks, is treated as part of the Aravalli Range.

• This protects wildlife corridors, water flow paths, and forest continuity.

Why These Definitions Matter

These definitions are not technical formalities—they are ecological safeguards.

They ensure:

• No mining on slopes or foothills that are critical for water recharge

• Protection of entire hill systems instead of fragmented patches

• Conservation of biodiversity and forest connectivity

• Clear, map-based boundaries to prevent misuse and illegal activity

Supreme Court’s Key Directions (20 November 2025)

The Supreme Court issued the following major directions:

1. Accepted the uniform definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges

2. Banned mining in core/inviolate areas, except for:

   • Atomic minerals

   • Critical and strategic minerals (as listed under MMDR Act, 1957)

3. Ordered sustainable mining norms and strong action against illegal mining

4. Directed MoEF&CC to prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) through ICFRE

5. Complete freeze on new mining leases until MPSM is finalised

6. Existing mines may continue only with strict compliance

What Is the MPSM and Why It Matters

The Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) will:

• Cover the entire Aravalli landscape from Gujarat to Delhi

• Identify:

  • Areas where mining is completely prohibited

  • Areas where limited mining may be allowed

• Assess cumulative environmental impact

• Fix the ecological carrying capacity

• Mandate post-mining restoration and rehabilitation

Until this plan is approved:

No new mining leases can be granted.

Areas Where Mining Is Absolutely Prohibited

Mining is completely banned in:

• Tiger Reserves and Protected Areas

• Wildlife corridors

• Eco-Sensitive Zones (final or draft)

• 1 km buffer around Protected Areas

• Wetlands (within 500 metres)

• CAMPA and government-funded plantations

• Forest land without proper clearance

Safeguards for Existing Mines

Existing mines must:

• Obtain and comply with Environmental Clearance (EC)

• Obtain Forest Clearance where applicable

• Follow groundwater protection rules

• Submit six-monthly compliance reports

• Undergo joint inspections by authorities

Repeated violations can lead to:

• Suspension or cancellation of mining permissions

• Heavy penalties

Measures to Prevent Illegal Mining

To stop illegal mining, authorities will use:

• Drones and night-vision CCTV cameras

• High-tech weighbridges and e-challans

• District-level task forces (Revenue, Forest, Police, Mining)

• Control rooms and toll-free complaint numbers

• Immediate closure of illegal mines

How the Aravallis Are Now Protected

• Clear scientific definitions

• Official mapping on Survey of India toposheets

• Strong court-backed enforcement

• No new mining without long-term planning

• Landscape-level conservation approach

Conclusion

The Aravalli Hills are not under imminent threat, as claimed by some alarmist narratives. On the contrary, they are now under one of the strongest ecological protection frameworks in India, backed by the Supreme Court, MoEF&CC, and State Governments.

Through scientific definitions, mining restrictions, strict monitoring, and long-term planning, India has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the Aravallis for future generations, while allowing only responsible and sustainable development.

The message is clear:
The Aravallis are a national ecological asset—and they will be protected.

References

• Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
  Report of the Committee on Uniform Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges

• Supreme Court of India Order (20 November 2025)
  https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/1995/2997/2997_1995_1_1502_66178_Order_20-Nov-2025.pdf