In the echo chamber of internet media and opposition rhetoric, the Aravalli hills have become the subject of a manufactured controversy. The Supreme Court's decision on November 20, 2025, which adopts a uniform definition for this mountain range, is being deliberately twisted into a narrative suggesting "eco-destruction" and a "death warrant" for 90 percent of these ancient hills. However, when the hyperbole is stripped away, the facts reveal a story of preservation, not plunder.
The Need For Standardisation
According to BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, the Aravalli mountain range—spanning Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi—has long suffered from illegal mining due to conflicting definitions across state lines. A petition highlighting this unchecked exploitation has been ongoing since 1985.
To address this, the Supreme Court formed a committee in May 2024 under the Ministry of Environment. Comprising state Forest Secretaries and experts from the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and the Geological Survey of India, this panel aimed to standardise the definition to ensure uniform rules across all four states and 39 districts.
The Scientific Definition And Its Origins
The committee recommended that only elevations rising 100 metres above the local terrain or clusters within a 500-metre radius be classified as Aravalli hills or ranges.
Crucially, this is not a new "loophole" created by the Modi government. This definition was originally formulated during the Congress rule of Ashok Gehlot, based on a 2002 committee report and Richard Muff's 1968 landform classification. The Supreme Court’s order simply applies this definition uniformly, while adding stringent safeguards. These include:
- Mandatory mapping on Survey of India toposheets before any mining is considered.
- A complete ban on activities in "inviolate zones," such as protected areas, eco-sensitive zones, tiger corridors, and Ramsar wetlands.
Fact-Checking The Falsehoods
Propagandists claim that the 100-metre threshold will exclude 90 percent of the range, opening it up for mining. In reality, the definition protects the entire hill structure—from the base to the peak and down to the subsurface, including adjoining low-lying lands within the range.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav has clarified that there is no relaxation of rules; more than 90 percent of the Aravalli region remains under protection.
The Reality Of Mining Data
An analysis of the Aravalli districts reveals the following:
Total Area: 144,000 sq km.
Legal Mining Leases: Existing on only 277.89 sq km, which constitutes merely 0.19 percent of the total area.
Lease Distribution: 90 per cent in Rajasthan, 9 per cent in Gujarat, and 1 per cent in Haryana.
The Supreme Court’s order is not an approval to start mining. No new leases can be granted until the Ministry, through the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, prepares a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining for each district. Furthermore, existing mines must adhere to strict sustainable practices, including wildlife plans and audits every six months.
A Record Of Neglect Vs. Action
The Congress party's "Save Aravalli" campaign stands in stark contrast to its governance record.
The Gehlot Era: During Ashok Gehlot’s tenure, illegal mining flourished despite a Supreme Court ban. A 2018 report exposed how the mafia was hollowing out the hills. In 2009, when Congress held power at both the Centre and in the state, the Gehlot government opposed a blanket mining ban imposed by the Supreme Court. Court records indicate that 31 hills in Rajasthan disappeared over the decades due to poor enforcement.
The Modi Government: Conversely, the current administration has launched the Aravalli Green Wall Project under PM Modi’s leadership. This initiative includes restoring forests, seed-ball campaigns in Gujarat, and a commitment to creating over 20 new forest reserve areas.
Strengthening Enforcement
The Modi government has intensified conservation through the 'Green Aravalli' movement, involving large-scale planting drives and community engagement to prevent desertification. Enforcement has been given real teeth through:
- Drone surveillance and AI to stop illegal mining.
- District task forces.
- Reclamation of old mining sites.
Currently, there is no mining in the districts of Delhi, and over 20 reserve or protected areas are fully secure.
According to Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, conservation efforts have increased, not weakened, under the current government. The issues facing the Aravallis—illegal mining, urbaniation, and groundwater extraction—predate this decision. While enforcement failed during the Gehlot era, the Modi government is consolidating and strengthening it.
The Aravallis are not being destroyed; 90 per cent is protected, while mining is limited to just 0.19 per cent. By prioritising science, enforcement, and restoration, the government is ensuring a greener future. It is time for facts to prevail over falsehoods and for the nation to unite in preserving this timeless natural heritage.