It is easy to thrash criticism from rival parties as “politically motivated”, but not public anger or movements that sharpen perceptions, as seen in several past controversies.
Facing mounting political attacks, activist protests and environmental outrage, the Centre on Sunday issued a detailed clarification on the Aravalli hills, dismissing allegations that it had diluted mining protections following the Supreme Court’s November 20 acceptance of a new definition of the ecologically-sensitive range proposed by the Environment Ministry. Whether the Centre’s response will put to rest decades-long debate and environmental concerns on already-scarred Aravallis remains to be seen.
The latest row intensified after years of inconsistent state-level definitions prompted the apex court to seek a uniform standard. Under the new definition, an “Aravalli Hill” is any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above its local elevation. This raised concerns about exploitation of hills less than that.
Along with the ministry issuing background notes and supporting material, Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav asserted that more than 90% of the Aravalli landscape remains under strict protection and that it was “completely wrong” to claim that mining had been opened up across the region. There is an explicit bar on mining on the hills, their supporting slopes and within a 500-metre buffer zone, he said, stressing that “there is no relaxation”.
In any case, according to the minister, only about 0.19 to 2% of the total 1.47 lakh sq km Aravalli region could even theoretically qualify for mining, and any such activity would still require Supreme Court-approved sustainable mining plans and multiple statutory clearances. Rejecting claims of policy dilution, Yadav said no new mining leases would be issued in mapped hill areas and that Green Aravalli initiatives remain in force, describing the allegations as “lies” and blaming misinformation for unnecessary panic.
“By defining Aravalli Hills as any landform rising 100 metres or more above local relief, along with their supporting slopes, the entire ecological unit is protected. This prevents piecemeal exploitation of slopes or foothills that are vital for soil stability, water recharge, and vegetation cover. Cluster-based definition of ranges: Hills within 500 metres proximity are grouped into Aravalli Ranges. This ensures that valleys, intervening slopes, and smaller hillocks between major peaks are also safeguarded. Ecologically, this protects connectivity of habitats, wildlife corridors, and the integrity of the ridge system,” the ministry said.
Driven by decades of illegal and excessive mining, rapid urbanisation and deforestation, Aravalli Range is a long-standing environmental concern with persistent demands for stronger protection, along with prolonged legal battles in the SC and the NGT.
After the new definition, protests erupted from Gurugram in Haryana to Udaipur in Rajasthan, with environment activists warning of grave danger to biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and air quality in the Delhi-NCR region. Opposition parties, including the Congress, accused the BJP-led Centre of crafting a “narrow” definition to favour mining and real estate interests. Some reports also suggested that only 1,048 of Rajasthan’s 12,081 Aravalli hill formations meet the 100-metre criteria.
Adding to the mistrust is the said presence of critical minerals such as graphite, lithium, and rare earth elements, heightening suspicions of mining interests in the region. Meanwhile, environmental groups are demanding that the Aravallis across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi be declared a Critical Ecological Zone, along with a complete halt to mining and stone crushing near sensitive areas, and alternatives to conventional building materials to reduce pressure on the ancient hill range.