Syllabus: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Context and Background
- In 2025, the Supreme Court adopted a uniform scientific definition for the Aravalli Hills.
- The ruling froze new mining leases and mandated a sustainable mining framework.
- The objective is ecosystem protection, mining regulation, and curbing illegal extraction.
- Critics caution that definitional limits may exclude large ecologically vital landscapes.
Supreme Court Ruling on Aravalli Definition
- The Court accepted a MoEF&CC committee’s scientific definition of the Aravalli system.
- Aravalli Hills defined as landforms rising 100 metres or more above local relief.
- Local relief determined using the lowest contour encircling the landform.
- Protection extends to supporting slopes and associated landforms, regardless of height.
- Aravalli Ranges defined as two or more hills within 500 metres, including intervening areas.
- Mining banned in core and inviolate zones like protected areas, ESZs, wetlands, and tiger reserves.
- Exceptions allowed only for atomic, strategic, and Seventh Schedule minerals.
- Temporary halt on new mining leases until a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is prepared.
Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM)
- To be prepared by ICFRE.
- Must identify no-mining zones, regulated areas, wildlife corridors, and sensitive habitats.
- Requires cumulative impact assessment, carrying capacity analysis, and restoration measures.
- Court adopted a calibrated approach to prevent illegal mining proliferation.
Government’s Position
- The Centre clarified the framework does not dilute Aravalli protection.
- No new leases permitted until the sustainable mining plan is finalised.
- Emphasis placed on curbing illegal mining through drones and surveillance technologies.
Earlier Protection Measures
- 1990s MoEF restrictions limited mining to sanctioned projects.
- 2009 Supreme Court ban halted mining in Faridabad, Gurugram, and Mewat.
- 2024 directions stopped fresh leases and tasked the CEC with scientific review.
- CEC recommended pan-India mapping and macro-level environmental impact assessments.
Aravalli Green Wall Initiative
- A landscape-level restoration programme inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall.
- Proposes a 1,400 km long, 5 km wide green belt across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi.
- Aims to restore 1.1 million hectares of degraded land by 2027.
- Expected benefits include dust storm reduction, air quality improvement, and micro-climate regulation.
Criticisms of the New Definition
- FSI assessment shows over 90% of the Aravalli landscape excluded by the 100-metre threshold.
- Risk of expanded mining, urbanisation, and construction in excluded areas.
- Definition criticised as peak-centric, ignoring ecological continuity of slopes and valleys.
- Disturbance may reduce groundwater recharge and accelerate desertification.
- Weakening the barrier may enable eastward Thar Desert expansion.
Key Facts About the Aravalli Range
- One of the oldest mountain systems globally, dating back 2,000 million years.
- Formed during the Aravalli–Delhi orogeny; now heavily eroded.
- Guru Shikhar (1,722 m) is the highest peak.
- Extends over 800 km from Gujarat to Delhi.
- Acts as a climatic barrier and major watershed.
- Hosts 22 wildlife sanctuaries and three tiger reserves.
- Rich in minerals, with Rajasthan accounting for 80% of the range.
- Rivers and Wetlands of the Aravalli Region
- Haryana: Sabi, Indori rivers; Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary.
- Rajasthan: Luni, Jawai, Banas, Banganga, Mahi; Sambhar and Siliserh Lakes.
- Gujarat: Banas, Sabarmati, Arjuni rivers.
- Delhi: Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.
Conclusion
- The Aravalli Range is a life-support system for north-western India.
- Its protection is vital for climate stability, water security, biodiversity, and livelihoods.
- Long-term conservation demands landscape-level protection and ecological restoration.
