Aravalli Hills

In November 2025, the Supreme Court of India adopted a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills, defining them as landforms rising 100 metres or more above the surrounding local terrain. While the Court stated that the objective was to bring clarity and scientific objectivity to mining regulation, the decision sparked public protests, political reactions, and the #SaveAravalli campaign, amid fears that large parts of the Aravalli landscape could become vulnerable to mining and construction.

Summary of the Supreme Court’s Decision

In 2025, the Supreme Court accepted a new scientific definition of the Aravalli Hills, imposed a temporary freeze on new mining leases, and directed the preparation of a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM).

The government maintains that the framework strengthens protection by banning mining in ecologically sensitive core areas and focusing on curbing illegal mining. However, critics argue that the 100-metre threshold may exclude substantial portions of the Aravalli system, threatening groundwater security, biodiversity conservation, and desertification control, thereby highlighting the need for landscape-level ecological restoration.

Supreme Court’s Ruling on the New Definition of Aravalli Hills

Background and Rationale

The Supreme Court accepted a uniform and scientific definition proposed by a committee constituted under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The intent was to remove ambiguity in regulating mining and development activities across the Aravalli landscape.

New Definitions Adopted by the Supreme Court

Definition of Aravalli Hills

Aravalli Hills are defined as any landform that rises 100 metres or more above the surrounding local ground level. Local relief is determined using the lowest contour line encircling the landform.

The definition also extends protection to the entire hill system, including supporting slopes and associated landforms, irrespective of their height.

Definition of Aravalli Ranges

Aravalli Ranges are defined as clusters of two or more such hills located within 500 metres of each other. The entire intervening area between these hills, including slopes and smaller hillocks, is treated as part of the range.

The stated objective of these definitions is to ensure clarity and consistency in regulating activities such as mining.

Supreme Court’s Directions on Mining

The Supreme Court imposed a ban on mining in core or inviolate areas, including protected areas, eco-sensitive zones, tiger reserves, and wetlands. Exceptions were permitted only for:

• Atomic minerals listed under Part B of the First Schedule,

• Critical and strategic minerals under Part D, and

• Minerals listed in the Seventh Schedule of the MMDR Act, 1957.

The Court also directed a temporary halt on new mining leases in areas falling under the new definition until the Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).

Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM)

The MPSM is required to:

• Identify no-mining zones and strictly regulated mining areas,

• Map sensitive habitats and wildlife corridors,

• Assess cumulative ecological impacts and carrying capacity, and

• Prescribe restoration and rehabilitation measures.

The Court observed that blanket bans often encourage illegal mining and therefore adopted a calibrated approach, allowing existing legal mining under strict regulation while ensuring permanent protection of ecologically sensitive zones.

Government’s Stance on the Aravalli Issue

The Union Government clarified that the Supreme Court–approved framework does not dilute protection of the Aravallis or permit large-scale mining. It emphasized that no new mining leases will be granted until the MPSM is finalised.

The government identified illegal mining as the principal threat and supported enhanced monitoring and enforcement using drones, satellite imagery, and surveillance technologies.

Earlier Judicial and Policy Interventions for Aravalli Protection

MoEF Restrictions (1990s)

The Environment Ministry imposed restrictions limiting mining in the Aravalli range to sanctioned projects. However, weak enforcement by States resulted in large-scale non-compliance.

Earlier Definition of Aravalli Hills

Before the Supreme Court ruling, only Rajasthan had a formally notified definition, based on the 2002 State Committee Report, which used the Richard Murphy landform classification and prohibited mining on hills and their supporting slopes.

Supreme Court Ban on Mining (2009)

In 2009, the Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on mining in the districts of Faridabad, Gurugram, and Mewat in Haryana.

Developments in 2024

In 2024, the Court prohibited fresh mining leases and renewals across the Aravalli range and directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to examine the issue. The CEC recommended scientific mapping, a macro-level Environmental Impact Assessment, and continuation of the mining freeze until assessments were completed.

Aravalli Green Wall Initiative

Inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall, the Aravalli Green Wall Initiative is a landscape-level ecological restoration programme led by the MoEF&CC. It proposes a 1,400 km long and 5 km wide green belt across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi.

The initiative aims to restore over 1.1 million hectares of degraded land by 2027, reduce sand and dust storms, improve air quality, and mitigate micro-climatic stress, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region.

Criticisms of the New Definition of Aravalli Hills

Exclusion of Large Landscape Areas

An internal Forest Survey of India (FSI) assessment suggests that the 100-metre threshold could exclude over 90 per cent of the Aravalli system, raising serious ecological and governance concerns.

Threat of Expanded Mining and Urbanisation

Areas excluded from the definition may become vulnerable to mining, construction, and urban expansion, potentially reversing decades of conservation efforts.

Ignoring Ecological Continuity

Critics argue that the Aravallis function as a continuous ecological system, but the definition is peak-centric and neglects the role of foothills, valleys, and connecting ridges.

Risks to Groundwater and Desertification Control

Lower hills and slopes play a critical role in rainwater percolation and aquifer recharge. Their degradation could accelerate groundwater depletion and allow the Thar Desert to advance eastward, intensifying dust storms and land degradation.

Key Facts about the Aravalli Range

Geological and Physical Features

The Aravalli Range is among the oldest mountain systems in the world, dating back nearly 2,000 million years to the Precambrian era. Guru Shikhar on Mount Abu is its highest peak at 1,722 metres, and the range stretches over 800 km from Gujarat to Delhi.

Ecological and Climatic Importance

The Aravallis act as a natural barrier preventing the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert. They also function as a major watershed, dividing drainage between the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal systems.

Biodiversity and Livelihoods

The region supports dry deciduous forests, grasslands, wetlands, and 22 wildlife sanctuaries and three tiger reserves. Agriculture here is largely rainfed and subsistence-based, making ecosystem health vital for rural livelihoods.

Measures Required to Strengthen Aravalli Protection

Scientific Mapping and Regulation

Comprehensive mapping of hills, slopes, valleys, recharge zones, and wildlife corridors is essential, along with graded, risk-based mining controls.

Prevention of Illegal Mining

Stronger enforcement through technology-based surveillance, institutional coordination, and district-level task forces is required.

Ecosystem Restoration

Restoration of degraded forests, grasslands, and mined areas should follow ecological principles. Indigenous water-harvesting systems such as taankas, jhalaras, and talab-bandis can strengthen watershed management.

Alignment with Global Commitments

Restoring the Aravallis is crucial to meet India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, UNCCD, Bonn Challenge, and Land Degradation Neutrality goals.

Conclusion

The Aravalli Range is not merely a geological structure but a life-support system for north-western India. Its degradation threatens water security, biodiversity, climate stability, and livelihoods. Protecting and restoring the Aravallis therefore requires landscape-level planning, strong legal safeguards, scientific governance, and community-based restoration, making it both an ecological and civilisational imperative.