Why India's Aravalli Hills Have Become the Epicenter of Escalating Protests.

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

As per the revised criteria, accepted by the court following federal government suggestions, 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 within 500 metres of each other, along with the land between them, are classified as an Aravalli range.

Ecologists assert that classifying Aravalli hills by height potentially excludes many shorter, vegetation-clad but vitally important hills unprotected from mining and construction.

The central administration, however, states that the revised definition is intended to strengthen regulation and bring uniformity and not weaken safeguards.

Why are People Protesting?

Over the past few days, peaceful protests were held in cities such as Gurugram and Udaipur, organized by local residents, farmers, green activists, and, at times, lawyers and political groups.

A founder member of a prominent environmental group remarked that the new definition risks undermining the essential function of the Aravalli range in "preventing desertification, replenishing aquifers and safeguarding local economies" in the northwestern region.

The lower, scrub-covered hills perform a crucial function in stopping desert creep, boosting water tables and supporting livelihoods as per experts.

"This mountain system must not be categorized solely by elevation, but by its environmental, physical and weather-related purpose," noted an ecology advocate associated with the campaign to preserve the Aravallis.

He pointed out that, internationally, mountains and hill systems are classified by the functions they perform, not by arbitrary elevation thresholds.

"Any feature that is structurally a component of the Aravalli system and plays a critical role in ecology or combating desertification must be acknowledged as a component of the system, regardless of its height."

Protesters are calling for that the government delineate Aravalli areas using scientific criteria, encompassing geography, biodiversity, animal corridors and climate resilience.

One activist warned that the court's new definition could encourage mining, construction and commercial activity, heightening the risk of ecological damage.

Opposition parties have stepped up criticism, warning that the new definition could cause serious ecological damage.

A senior politician declared that protecting the Aravallis is "inseparable from Delhi's survival." Another leader called the range the state's "life-support system," stating that without it, "the entire area up to Delhi would have become a desert."

The Government's Stance

India's central government has attempted to minimize these apprehensions.

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

It added that the new definition encompasses the entire hill system – incorporating slopes, related features, and connecting zones – explicitly protecting hill clusters and their connections.

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

The government says areas within the Aravalli hills or ranges are not eligible for new mining leases, while current operations can continue if they follow environmentally sound practices.

It noted that mining remains banned in core "inviolate" areas – protected forests, eco-sensitive zones, and wetlands – except for certain essential, national security, and nuclear minerals permitted by law.

The Environment Minister indicated only about two percent of the vast Aravalli range could potentially be mined, and only after detailed studies and official approval.

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