The history of the Aravalli mountain range is older than India itself. The Aravalli Mountains were formed when there was no river Ganga, no Himalayas, and continents were joining together. Life was beginning to emerge. This 2.5 billion-year-old and 670-kilometer-long mountain range is a geographical marvel. It stretches across Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi. It begins in Palanpur, Gujarat, in a southwesterly direction and extends to Delhi. Its highest peak, Guru Shikhar, is 1722 meters high. It is located in Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s only hill station. It is India’s natural green wall, preventing the Thar Desert from expanding eastward. Without the Aravalli Mountains, Haryana and Delhi would also be deserts. It influences monsoon winds and increases rainfall. The Aravalli Mountains are the source of many rivers and contribute to the water cycle. Rainwater percolates through the rocks and forms groundwater. It acts as a natural sponge, channeling rainwater into the ground. It is an ecological hotspot that supports over 300 bird species and protects flora. Historically, the Aravalli mountain range has been called the shield of the Rajputs and the cradle of the Mughals. Medieval history bears witness to the fact that the rugged Aravalli mountains provided warriors like Maharana Pratap with a safe haven for guerrilla warfare against the Mughals. Famous forts like Kumbhalgarh and Chittorgarh are also part of this range. The Aravalli mountain range has been in the news recently after a Supreme Court order sparked a heated debate on development versus conservation. In a country where people have sacrificed their lives to protect trees, it is natural for a community to react to conservation. In 1730, 363 members of the Bishnoi community sacrificed their lives in Khejri village, Rajasthan, to prevent trees from being cut down. Ultimately, the king was forced to withdraw his order, and the trees surrounding the Bishnoi village were declared protected.
Across the country, conscious society and environmentalists raised their voices to save the mountains, believing that if mountains survive, life will survive. The question arose: if uncontrolled exploitation of nature continues, life will be lost. The Supreme Court ruled that only mountains over 100 meters high would be considered Aravalli Hills. The new definition of Aravalli gave rise to many concerns that if mining, construction, and other activities continued on hills less than 100 meters high, it would have serious environmental impacts. People took to the streets. The “Save Aravalli” campaign began trending on social media. Following this, the central government, recognizing the importance of the environment and respecting public sentiment, cracked down on those who were ravaging the Aravalli Hills. The government has imposed a complete ban on granting new mining leases across the entire Aravalli range. The Environment Ministry has categorically told state governments that mining will no longer be permitted in any part of the Aravalli. This rule will apply equally across the entire landscape. Its purpose is to eliminate uncontrolled excavation. The government has made it clear that there will be no compromise on the environment and falling water levels. The Environment Ministry’s order has eliminated any possibility of new mining activities by the mining mafia. Not only is the ban just a ban, the ministry has also entrusted the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education with a significant responsibility. The ICFRE will identify additional areas throughout the Aravalli region where mining should be completely prohibited. This work will be done with ecology and geology in mind. ICFRE will prepare a comprehensive and science-based Sustainable Mining Management Plan (MPSM). This plan will assess the environmental load it can bear. Sensitive areas will be identified. Importantly, this plan will also be presented to the public for public input. The aim is to expand the number of areas where mining is completely prohibited. The government has not ordered the immediate closure of currently operating mines, but has tightened its restrictions. The order states that state governments will strictly enforce environmental regulations in mines that are still in operation. Work will be carried out in accordance with Supreme Court orders. Additional restrictions will be imposed on existing mining activities to minimize environmental damage. The government claims it is committed to preserving the Aravalli ecosystem, as it prevents desertification and helps recharge water.
Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav also attempted to clear up confusion surrounding the 100-meter rule, stating that no new leases would be granted until a new mining plan was finalized. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has accepted a petition filed by retired Haryana Forest Conservator R.P. Balwan. This case stems from the earlier TN Godavarman Thirumulpad vs. Union of India case, in which the Supreme Court had broadly defined “forest” in 1996. In November 2025, the Court, following the recommendation of a committee of the Environment Ministry, established a uniform definition for the Aravalli Hills. Under this definition, only hills 100 meters or higher above the local level would be considered Aravalli, along with their slopes and surrounding land. However, the petitioner argues that this would exclude hills less than 100 meters in height from protection, causing significant environmental damage. The crucial question is what the true definition of the Aravallis should be. Over the past few decades, the illegal mining mafia and the New Mafia have swallowed up the mountains and built concrete colonies there. Once the doors to mining are opened, the illegal mining mafia will become active again.
