New Delhi: What if we told you that most of the Aravalli hills may no longer be legally considered Aravallis? It sounds unbelievable, but that is exactly what environmentalists are warning about after a new definition, accepted by the Supreme Court, triggered a major controversy.
The Aravalli mountain range, one of the oldest in the world and often called North India’s natural shield, could soon lose protection over nearly 90% of its hills. This may open the door to mining, construction, and irreversible ecological damage.
What Changed? The New Definition Explained Simply
The problem began with a new legal definition of what qualifies as an “Aravalli hill.” According to this definition, two conditions must be met:
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Height rule: A hill must rise at least 100 metres above the surrounding land
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Distance rule: Hills must be within 500 metres of each other to be considered part of the Aravalli range
This is where the concern grows.
Data from the Forest Survey of India (FSI) shows that out of 1,281 hills in the Aravalli region, 1,133 hills, or over 91 percent, do not meet the 100 metre height requirement. This means they could lose protection under the Forest Conservation Act.
In simple terms, most of the Aravallis could legally stop being recognised as Aravallis.
A Legal Loophole That Worries Experts
Environmentalists say the real danger lies in how the height is measured. Instead of measuring from Mean Sea Level (MSL), the rule measures height from the surrounding land.
Why does this matter? Because it creates a loophole.
Experts warn that by dumping debris or soil around a hill, developers could artificially raise the ground level. A 103 metre hill could suddenly become a 98 metre hill on paper and instantly lose legal protection.
Why the Aravallis Are So Important
If the Aravalli hills are flattened, the impact will not be limited to one state or city. It could affect millions of people across North India.
Here is what is at stake:
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Desertification threat: The Aravallis act as a barrier against the Thar Desert. Without them, desertification could spread into Delhi NCR, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, bringing more dust storms and barren land.
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Wildlife corridor collapse: The range connects forests like Ranthambore and Sariska. Breaking this corridor could lead to inbreeding among tigers and leopards, pushing them closer to local extinction.
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Water crisis: Aravalli hills recharge groundwater. Replace them with concrete, and flash floods during monsoons and water shortages during dry months could become common.
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Rising heat: Studies suggest temperatures in Delhi NCR could rise by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius if Aravalli forests disappear.
Mining in the Aravallis Is Not a New Problem
This is not the first time the Aravallis have faced destruction. In Rajasthan alone, 31 hills have already disappeared due to illegal mining.
Although the Supreme Court has banned new mining leases until a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is prepared, environmentalists remain cautious. Past cases, such as the dilution of protections in Jharkhand’s Saranda Forest, have made them wary of political and industrial pressure.
A Loss That Can Never Be Reversed
The Aravallis are estimated to be 2.5 billion years old, making them older than the Himalayas. Once destroyed, they cannot be rebuilt by technology, AI, or any future innovation.
As one expert warns, a building can be reconstructed, but a mountain that took billions of years to form is gone forever.
As the legal debate continues, one thing is clear. The fight to save the Aravallis is not just about hills. It is about climate, water, wildlife, and the future of North India.
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