Why The Nation's Aravalli Hills Are at the Centre of Increasing Demonstrations.

Protests have erupted across the northern part of the country after the nation's top court redefined the Aravalli hills – one of the world's oldest geological formations spanning the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and the capital territory.

As per the revised criteria, endorsed by the court based on federal government recommendations, an Aravalli hill is any geographical feature rising at least 100 metres (328 ft) from the adjacent land. A cluster of such hills within 500 metres of each other, along with the land between them, are considered an Aravalli range.

Conservationists contend that defining Aravalli hills based on elevation risks leaving numerous shorter, vegetation-clad but vitally important hills unprotected from quarrying and development.

The federal government, however, states that the new definition is meant to tighten controls and establish consistency and not dilute protections.

Why are People Protesting?

Over the past few days, peaceful protests took place in cities including Gurugram and Udaipur, organized by community members, farmers, environmental activists, and, in some cases, lawyers and political parties.

A founder member of a key environmental group remarked that the new definition threatens to compromise the critical role of the Aravalli range in "preventing desertification, recharging groundwater and protecting livelihoods" in northwest India.

The shorter, vegetated hills perform a crucial function in preventing desertification, recharging groundwater and supporting livelihoods as per experts.

"The Aravalli range should not be defined by height alone, but by its ecological, geological and climatic role," said an ecology advocate involved in the campaign to save the Aravallis.

He pointed out that, internationally, mountain ranges are classified by the roles they play, not by random height benchmarks.

"Any landform that is structurally a component of the Aravalli system and plays a critical role in the ecosystem 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 research-based parameters, including topography, ecology, animal corridors and climate resilience.

One activist warned that the court's new definition might promote extractive industries, development and business projects, heightening the threat of ecological damage.

Opposition parties have ramped up their censure, cautioning that the new definition could cause significant environmental degradation.

A senior politician declared that protecting the Aravallis is "fundamentally linked to Delhi's survival." A different official called the range the state's "lifeline," adding that without it, "the entire area up to Delhi would have become a desert."

What Does the Government Say?

India's federal government has attempted to minimize these concerns.

In a recent communication, it said the new definition is meant to strengthen regulation and bring uniformity, adding that a single, objective 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 connecting zones – explicitly protecting hill clusters and their connections.

The federal environment ministry clarified it is wrong to assume that mining will be permitted on all landforms under 100 metres.

The government states areas inside the Aravalli hills or ranges are excluded from new mining leases, while existing ones can continue if they adhere to sustainable mining norms.

It noted that mining remains prohibited in core "protected" areas – protected forests, eco-sensitive zones, and wetlands – aside from certain critical, strategic, and atomic minerals permitted by law.

The Environment Minister said only about 2% of the vast Aravalli range might be open to extraction, and only after comprehensive assessments and formal clearance.

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