Why The Nation's Aravalli Hills Are at the Centre of Growing Protests.

Demonstrations have broken out across northern India after the Supreme Court issued a new definition for the Aravalli hills – one of the world's oldest mountain ranges stretching across the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and the capital territory.

As per the revised criteria, accepted by the court based on central government recommendations, an Aravalli hill is any geographical feature with a minimum elevation of 100 metres (328 ft) above the adjacent land. A cluster of such hills less than half a kilometre of each other, combined with the land between them, are classified as an Aravalli range.

Conservationists contend that defining Aravalli hills based on elevation could leave numerous shorter, vegetation-clad but vitally important hills unprotected from mining and construction.

The federal government, however, states that the revised definition is designed to tighten controls and bring uniformity and not weaken protections.

Why are People Protesting?

Over the past few days, calm demonstrations were held in cities including Gurugram and Udaipur, organized by local residents, farmers, environmental activists, and, in some cases, lawyers and political parties.

A founder member of a key environmental group stated that the new definition risks undermining the critical role of the Aravalli range in "preventing desertification, recharging groundwater and safeguarding local economies" in northwest India.

The shorter, vegetated hills play a vital role in preventing desertification, boosting water tables and sustaining communities according to experts.

"The Aravalli range must not be categorized by height alone, but by its environmental, physical and weather-related function," said an environmental activist associated with the movement to save the Aravallis.

He added that, globally, mountain ranges are classified by the functions they perform, not by arbitrary elevation thresholds.

"Any feature that is geologically part of the Aravalli system and plays a critical role in the ecosystem or combating desertification should be recognised as a component of the system, regardless of its height."

Protesters are calling for that the government define Aravalli areas using scientific criteria, encompassing geography, biodiversity, wildlife connectivity and environmental durability.

One activist warned that the court's new definition could encourage extractive industries, development and business projects, increasing the threat of environmental harm.

Opposition parties have stepped up criticism, warning that the new definition might lead to serious ecological damage.

A senior politician said that safeguarding the Aravallis is "fundamentally linked to Delhi's survival." Another leader called the range the state's "lifeline," adding that without it, "a vast region up to Delhi would have become a desert."

The Government's Stance

India's federal government has sought to downplay these concerns.

In a official release, it asserted the new definition is meant to bolster governance and bring uniformity, noting that a clear, unambiguous definition was needed to oversee extraction consistently across states.

It further stated that the new definition encompasses the entire hill system – including slopes, related features, and intervening areas – clearly safeguarding hill clusters and their connections.

The national environment department said it is incorrect to presume that mining will be allowed on all landforms under 100 metres.

The government says areas inside the Aravalli hills or ranges are excluded from new mining leases, while existing ones can continue if they follow environmentally sound practices.

It noted that mining remains prohibited in core "inviolate" areas – reserved woodlands, environmentally fragile zones, and wetlands – except for certain essential, national security, and nuclear minerals permitted by law.

The Environment Minister said only about two percent of the vast Aravalli range could potentially be mined, and only after comprehensive assessments and formal clearance.

However, several of the demonstrating organizations say that demonstrations will continue and that they are considering legal options to challenge the court's new definition.