Aravallis

Why in the News?

The Supreme Court (SC) stayed its previous judgement related to the definition of the Aravalli hills and range. 

Background of the Issue

• Formation of Expert Committee (May 2024): The SC directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to form an Expert Committee to recommend a "uniform definition" for the Aravallis.
• Definition Adoption (November 2025): In T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad Case (1995), the SC accepted the Committee recommendations of a uniform definition of Aravallis and paused the grant of fresh mining leases.
  • Definition: 'Aravalli Hill' is any landform in designated districts with 100-meter elevation and a 'Range' are two or more hills within 500-meter proximity.
  • SC directed Government to prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining on the lines of the Saranda Mining Plan. (see box)
• Government Bans Mining (December 2025): Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) issued directions to the States for a complete ban on granting new mining leases (exception for critical, strategic and atomic minerals).
• Judicial Stay and Review (December 2025): Following public protests, the SC stayed its November directions and proposed a fresh, independent review by a high-powered committee.
  • Public protests were rooted in reasons like potential ecological destruction, threat of desertification, groundwater crisis as Aravallis act as primary recharge zone for aquifers.

About Aravallis

• One of the oldest residual fold mountain ranges of the world (Pre-Cambrian), and predates the formation of the Himalayan ranges.
• Location: North-western India; stretches in a south-west direction ~692 km from Delhi through Haryana, Rajasthan, and into Gujarat.
  • Highest peak: Guru Shikhar on Mount Abu.
  • Rivers originating from Aravallis: West-flowing (Luni, Sabarmati); East -flowing (Banas); North-flowing (Sahibi), etc.

Significance of Aravallis

• Ecological and Geographical: Regulation of Climate, temperature and the monsoon cycle of India. E.g. By influencing wind patterns and stabilising soil, the hills reduce dust storms.
  • Barrier against the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert into the Indo-Gangetic plains.
  • Supports biodiversity by providing wildlife migratory corridors.
  • Critical groundwater recharge zone for replenishing aquifers that support agriculture, settlements, and industry. E.g. Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni rivers dependent on Aravallis
• Mining and Quarrying: Aravalli region is rich in minerals such as limestone, marble, sandstone, copper, zinc, and tungsten. E.g. Khetri Copper mines
• Cultural connection: Tribal communities like the Bhils and the Meenas have deep cultural and spiritual connections with the Aravallis. E.g. 'Mandana art' of Meenas is influenced by the flora and fauna of the Aravallis.
  • Aravallis are also home to architectural wonders (E.g. Dilwara Jain Temples and Kumbhalgarh Fort), strategically placed to utilize the rugged terrain for defense.
• Historical: Aravallis sustained human habitation since Palaeolithic period (E.g. Mangar Bani) and developed the Ahar-Banas tradition (c. 3000–1500 BCE) during Chalcolithic era.

Initiatives taken to protect Aravallis

• Matri Van Initiative: Launched in Gurugram to develop a 750-acre urban forest in the Aravalli hills as a part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' programme.
• Aravalli Green Wall Project: Initiative to green 5 km buffer area around the Aravalli Hill Range in four states.
• State Government Measures: Haryana government in 2016 declared Mangar Bani area (part of Aravalli) a "no-construction zone".
• MC Mehta v. Union of India Case (2002): In a series of judgments, Supreme Court acknowledged the importance of Aravalli and called for its protection.

Conclusion

Sustainable management of the Aravalli ranges requires an approach treating them as a unified, continuous geological ridge supported by transparent data, stakeholder consultation, and the strict enforcement of mining bans in sensitive zones.