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    Why India’s Aravalli Hills Are Facing Protests

    3 weeks ago

    Protests have broken out across northern India after the Supreme Court accepted a new definition of the Aravalli hills, one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges that stretches across Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Delhi.

    Under the new definition, only landforms at least 100 metres high are classified as Aravalli hills. Groups of two or more such hills within 500 metres, along with the land between them, are considered part of the range.

    Why people are angry

    Environmentalists and local residents say this definition could leave many smaller, scrub-covered hills unprotected, even though they play a crucial role in:

    • Preventing desertification

    • Recharging groundwater

    • Protecting biodiversity

    • Reducing air pollution in cities like Delhi

    They argue that the Aravallis should be defined by their ecological and geological importance, not just height. Protesters fear the new rules could open the door to mining, construction and commercial projects, causing long-term environmental damage.

    Opposition leaders have also joined the criticism, warning that weakening protection of the Aravallis could seriously affect Delhi’s survival and regional climate balance.

    What the government says

    The central government says the new definition is meant to bring uniformity and stronger regulation, not weaken protection. It insists:

    • Mining will not automatically be allowed on land below 100 metres

    • Protected forests, eco-sensitive zones and wetlands will remain off-limits

    • Only about 2% of the Aravalli region could potentially be mined, and only after strict studies and approvals

    The government maintains that the entire hill system, including slopes and connecting land, is still covered under regulation.

    What happens next

     

    Environmental groups say protests will continue, and they are also considering legal action to challenge the new definition.

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