How is the Aravalli range to be protected?
Table of Contents
Source: THE HINDU
Relevance:
GS Paper 1 (Geography – Geomorphology);
GS Paper 3 (Environment, Conservation, Mining Governance, Desertification)
Important Key Concepts for Prelims and Mains:
For Prelims:
- Aravalli Range, Desertification, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Central Empowered Committee (CEC), Forest Survey of India (FSI), Sustainable Mining, Aravalli Green Wall Project, Groundwater Recharge, Stone-Crushing Units, Ecologically Sensitive Zones
For Mains:
- Ecological Barrier Function, Desertification Control, Landscape Continuity, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Sustainable Mining Governance, Biodiversity Preservation, Climate Regulation, Water Security, Illegal Mining, Habitat Fragmentation
Why in News?
The Supreme Court has recently adopted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and has paused all fresh mining leases across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. The move comes amid growing concerns over environmental degradation, desertification risks, and declining groundwater levels in the region.
What Are the Aravalli Hills?
- The Aravallis are nearly two billion years old, making them India’s oldest mountain range.
- Stretching 650 km from Delhi to Gujarat, they form a unique ecological spine across northwest India.
- They function as:
- A natural barrier preventing the eastward spread of the Thar Desert into the Indo-Gangetic plains.
- A key groundwater recharge zone for multiple States.
- A biodiversity-rich habitat supporting flora, fauna, and river systems such as the Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni.
- Rich in minerals: sandstone, limestone, granite, marble, zinc, copper, gold, tungsten.
Why Does India Need to Protect the Aravallis?
. To Stop Desertification
- Prevent the advance of the Thar Desert into Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Western UP, and Rajasthan.
- Illegal and excessive mining has opened breaches, enabling desert dust to blow eastward.
2. To Prevent Ecological Collapse
- Aravallis regulate temperature, humidity, rainfall, and act as a pollution sink for NCR.
- They stabilise local climate and reduce heatwaves.
3. To Safeguard Groundwater
- Weathered rocks enable high aquifer recharge.
- Mining has caused groundwater levels to drop to 1,000–2,000 feet in areas like Mahendergarh.
4. To Preserve Biodiversity
- Habitat for leopards, hyenas, jackals, langurs, honey badgers, jungle cats, and 200+ bird species.
- Fragmentation of forests increases human–wildlife conflict.
5. To Fulfil International Commitments
- India is obligated under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to protect fragile dryland ecosystems such as Aravallis.
India’s Current Framework for Aravalli Protection
Supreme Court Interventions
- 2009: Blanket ban on mining in Gurugram, Faridabad, Mewat.
- 2024 (May): Halt on new mining leases pending review.
- 2025 (Nov): Adoption of uniform 100-m definition; pause on all fresh leases.
Central Empowered Committee (CEC) Recommendations (2024)
- Scientific mapping of the entire Aravalli system.
- Macro-level Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of mining.
No mining in
- Protected habitats
- Water bodies
- Tiger corridors
- Aquifer recharge zones
- NCR ecological zones
Regulate stone-crushing units.
No new lease until mapping + impact assessment completed.
Government Initiative
- Aravalli Green Wall Project (2025)
- 5-km green buffer in 29 districts of four States.
- Supports India’s goal to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
Issues with the New Uniform Definition
1. Narrow 100-metre Height Rule
- Only hills above 100 m elevation qualify as Aravallis.
- Excludes 90%+ of the Aravalli landscape:
- Low hills
- Ridges
- Grasslands
- Scrub forests
- These areas may become open for mining.
2. Ecological Risk
- Breaks continuity of the mountain chain.
- Creates more gaps for the Thar Desert to advance.
- Threatens water recharge patterns and wildlife corridors.
3. Disagreement Among Experts
- Amicus Curiae argued the definition is too narrow.
- Additional Solicitor General argued FSI’s earlier definition (slope/buffer-based) was too restrictive.
What Are the Supreme Court’s New Directions?
- Prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli range.
- The plan must:
- Map prohibited/no-go mining zones
- Identify tightly regulated zones
- Evaluate cumulative ecological impacts
- Assess ecological carrying capacity
- Outline restoration and rehabilitation pathways
Why Has the SC Not Completely Banned Mining?
- Past experiences show that:
- Total bans → illegal mining
- Rise of sand mafias
- Lack of monitoring in remote terrain
- Hence, the Court chose a calibrated approach:
- Existing legal mining under strict regulation
- No new/renewed leases for now
- Absolute ban only in sensitive areas
- Full ban only after scientific mapping and MPSM are complete
Risks Ahead
- Faster desertification into NCR.
- Decline in agriculture due to water scarcity + dust deposition.
- Permanent loss of forests and wildlife.
- Further collapse of water bodies.
- Worsening pollution and public health stress.
Conclusion
The Aravallis are a foundational ecological barrier protecting North India’s climate, groundwater, biodiversity, and public health. While the SC aims to regulate mining scientifically, the 100-metre definition risks excluding most of the range, exposing fragile landscapes to exploitation. A scientifically robust, ecologically sensitive definition, coupled with strong enforcement and restoration efforts, is essential to secure the long-term sustainability of the region.
UPSC PYQ
Q. The approximate age of the Aravallis range is: (IAS/2001)
(a) 370 million years
(b) 470 million years
(c) 570 million years
(d) 670 million years
Correct Answer: (a) 370 million years
CARE MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Aravalli Range:
1. The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold mountains in the world and contains the highest peak Guru Shikhar in Gujarat.
2. Major rivers originating from the Aravalli include the Banas, Sahibi and the Luni River which flows towards the Rann of Kutch.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
Statement 1: Incorrect
- The Aravalli Range is indeed one of the world’s oldest fold mountains formed during the Proterozoic era.
- However, Guru Shikhar (1,722 m)—the highest peak of the Aravallis—is located in Rajasthan (Mount Abu region), not Gujarat.
- Hence, the statement becomes incorrect due to the wrong location.
Statement 2: Correct
- Three major rivers and tributaries originate in or flow from the Aravalli system:
- Banas River – tributary of the Chambal/Yamuna system
- Sahibi River – tributary of the Yamuna
- Luni River – flows southwest into the Rann of Kutch
