1. Background
In November 2025, the Supreme Court of India adopted a uniform, scientific definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges to regulate mining and protect the fragile ecosystem.
The decision sparked public protests, political reactions, and the #SaveAravalli campaign, with critics warning that it could weaken long-standing legal protection.
The ruling comes amid decades of judicial and administrative interventions to curb unregulated mining, deforestation, and urban expansion in the Aravalli region.
2. What is the Supreme Court’s New Definition?
(A) Definition of Aravalli Hills
The Supreme Court accepted a definition proposed by a MoEF&CC-appointed expert committee:
Aravalli Hills are defined as:
Any landform rising 100 metres or more above the surrounding local terrain
Local relief is calculated using the lowest contour line encircling the landform
Protection applies to:
The entire hill system
Supporting slopes
Associated landforms
(Irrespective of absolute height)
(B) 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 considered part of the range
Objective:
To bring clarity, uniformity, and objectivity in regulating activities such as mining across multiple States
3. Supreme Court Directions on Mining
(A) Ban on Mining in Core Areas
Mining is completely prohibited in:
Protected Areas
Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)
Tiger Reserves
Wetlands
(B) Limited Exceptions
Mining may be permitted only for:
Atomic minerals (Part B, First Schedule, MMDR Act, 1957)
Critical and strategic minerals (Part D)
Minerals listed in the Seventh Schedule of the MMDR Act
4. Temporary Freeze on New Mining Leases
The Court ordered:
No new mining leases under the new definition
This ban will continue until a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is prepared
Agency Responsible:
Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)
5. What is the Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM)?
The MPSM must:
Identify no-mining zones
Demarcate strictly regulated mining areas
Protect sensitive habitats and wildlife corridors
Assess:
Cumulative ecological impacts
Carrying capacity
Prescribe:
Restoration
Rehabilitation
Mine closure norms
Judicial Approach:
The SC noted that blanket bans often promote illegal mining, hence it adopted a calibrated approach:
Continue existing legal mining under strict regulation
Pause new leases
Permanently protect ecologically sensitive areas
6. Government’s Stand
The Union Government clarified that:
The new framework does not dilute Aravalli protection
No fresh mining will be allowed until the MPSM is finalised
The main threat is illegal mining, not regulated mining
Stronger enforcement is planned using:
Drones
Satellite imagery
Surveillance technologies
7. Criticisms of the New Definition
(A) Exclusion of Large Landscape
An internal Forest Survey of India (FSI) assessment suggests:
The 100-metre threshold excludes over 90% of the Aravalli system
This may leave vast areas legally unprotected
(B) Threat to Groundwater
Lower hills and slopes are critical for:
Rainwater percolation
Aquifer recharge
Disturbance could reduce water availability in:
Rajasthan
Haryana
Gujarat
Delhi-NCR
(C) Ignoring Ecological Continuity
The Aravallis function as a continuous ecological system
Peak-centric definition ignores:
Foothills
Valleys
Connecting ridges
(D) Risk of Desertification
Weakening the Aravalli barrier may:
Allow Thar Desert expansion eastward
Increase dust storms and land degradation
This undermines India’s commitments under:
UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
(E) Governance and Enforcement Challenges
Lack of comprehensive mapping could create:
Regulatory loopholes
Difficulty in curbing illegal mining
8. Earlier Interventions for Aravalli Protection
(A) MoEF Restrictions (1990s)
Mining restricted to sanctioned projects
Weak enforcement by States led to violations
(B) Rajasthan’s Definition (2002)
Used Richard Murphy landform classification
Defined hills as landforms rising 100 m above local relief
Mining banned on hills and supporting slopes
(C) Supreme Court Ban (2009)
Blanket mining ban in:
Faridabad
Gurugram
Mewat (Haryana)
(D) SC Directions (2024)
Prohibited fresh mining leases and renewals
Directed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) review
(E) CEC Recommendations (2024)
Scientific mapping of Aravallis across States
Macro-level Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
No new mining until assessments are complete
9. Aravalli Green Wall Initiative
About:
MoEF&CC-led programme
Inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall
Key Features:
1,400 km long, 5 km wide green belt
Covers Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi
Aims to restore 1.1 million hectares by 2027
Benefits:
Controls sand and dust storms
Improves air quality (especially Delhi-NCR)
Reduces desertification
Strengthens climate resilience
10. Key Facts About the Aravalli Range (Prelims Ready)
Geography & Geology
Oldest mountain system in India and among the oldest globally
Formed ~2,000 million years ago (Precambrian era)
Highest peak: Guru Shikhar (1,722 m), Mount Abu
Length: ~800 km (Gujarat to Delhi)
Ecological Role
Acts as a barrier against Thar Desert
Major watershed dividing:
Arabian Sea
Bay of Bengal drainage systems
Biodiversity
22 wildlife sanctuaries
3 tiger reserves
Habitat for tiger, leopard, wolf, sloth bear, GIB
Economic & Cultural Importance
Rich in minerals (zinc, lead, marble, granite)
Hosts major cities and industries
UNESCO sites: Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh
Sacred centres: Pushkar, Ajmer Sharif, Mount Abu
11. Measures Needed for Stronger Protection
(A) Scientific Mapping
Landscape-level mapping of:
Hills
Slopes
Valleys
Recharge zones
Wildlife corridors
(B) Curb Illegal Mining
Use drones, satellites, CCTV, e-challans
District-level task forces
(C) Ecosystem Restoration
Restore forests, grasslands, mined areas
Revive indigenous water systems:
Taankas
Jhalaras
Talab-bandis
(D) Sand & Wind Control
Vegetation using Calligonum, Acacia
Reduce dust storms and erosion
12. Conclusion (UPSC Mains Tone)
The Aravalli Range is not merely a geological formation but a life-support system for north-western India. While the Supreme Court’s attempt to introduce scientific clarity is significant, the concerns over ecological exclusion underline the need for landscape-level protection, scientific mapping, and community-based restoration. Strengthening the Aravallis is essential to safeguard water security, biodiversity, climate resilience, and livelihoods, and to meet India’s global environmental commitments.
