Why Mining in the Aravalli Hills Is a Serious Threat?
The new SC definition of the Aravalli Hills has sparked protests, as people fear it will weaken protection, increase mining, and worsen pollution in Delhi-NCR and nearby states.
CORRECTION: The signer has signed 1 lakh tonnes of minerals mined, whereas it was 100 lakh tonnes.
Delhi-NCR is already struggling with severe air pollution, and now the destruction of the Aravalli Hills is adding to the danger. Protests have taken place near government offices in Gurugram, Haryana, and large rallies have spread across Rajasthan, including Udaipur, Sikar, Jodhpur, and Alwar. People from many backgrounds, such as villagers, environmental activists, tribal communities, students, lawyers, social organisations, and political workers, have joined demonstrations and fasts to raise their voices.
The Aravalli Hills are one of the oldest mountain ranges in India. They stretch from Delhi to Gujarat through Haryana and Rajasthan. These hills play a very important role in protecting the environment. They stop desert dust from spreading, help recharge groundwater, control air pollution in Delhi-NCR, and support forests, wildlife, and farming. However, for many years, the Aravallis have been damaged due to legal and illegal mining and construction.
On 20 November, the Supreme Court accepted a new definition of what should be considered as the Aravalli Hills. According to this definition, only land that rises 100 metres or more above the surrounding land will be treated as Aravalli. While this may sound protective, experts say it has serious problems.
As per the Forest Survey of India, out of 12,081 Aravalli hills studied, only 1,048 hills are 100 metres or higher. This means more than 90 per cent of the Aravalli region will lose its protected status. Under the new rule, these areas can be opened for mining and construction, which could increase air pollution, cause dust storms from the Thar Desert, reduce groundwater, destroy forests, and harm public health.
Earlier, even smaller hills were protected because they blocked hot desert winds and stopped dust from entering cities. Raising the limit to 100 metres removes protection from many such important hills. Some key areas like Chittorgarh, a UNESCO heritage site, and Sawai Madhopur, home to the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, have also been left out, raising more concerns.
Officials say mining is banned in wildlife sanctuaries and eco-sensitive zones, but reports show mining is still happening. In Rajavas village in Haryana, land declared as a protected forest was auctioned for mining on the same day. Even after protests and warnings from the National Green Tribunal, mining was not stopped, showing weak enforcement.
Government audit reports have also revealed large-scale illegal mining in Rajasthan despite the Supreme Court bans. Activists allege that the government used confusing methods to measure hill height, mixing up height and slope. By measuring land from sea level instead of nearby ground level, many real hills appeared flat on paper and lost protection.
The court has ordered a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining and put a freeze on new mining leases until the plan is ready. The government claims that most of the Aravalli region is still protected and that only a very small area may be opened for regulated mining. However, many people do not trust these assurances.
Public anger continues to grow, with campaigns like #SaveAravalli spreading widely. The issue has also become political, with opposition parties accusing the government of favouring mining interests, while local communities warn that destroying the Aravallis will damage land, heritage, livelihoods, and the environment for future generations.
