Supreme Court's Acceptance of Aravalli Hills Definition

The Supreme Court accepted a Union Environment Ministry panel's recommendations regarding the definition of the Aravalli Hills to ostensibly restrict mining activities. The new definition considers any landform at an elevation of 100 meters or more above the local relief, including its slopes and adjacent land, as part of the Aravalli Hills.

Implications of the New Definition

• More than 90% of the Aravalli Hills may be excluded from protection, potentially opening these areas to mining and construction activities.
• An internal assessment by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) revealed that only 8.7% of the Aravalli Hills, comprising 1,048 out of 12,081 hills, meet the 100-meter height criterion.
• Previously used definitions considered a slope of at least 3 degrees, which covered about 40% of the Aravalli Hills.

Environmental and Ecological Concerns

• The Aravalli Hills act as a crucial barrier against fine pollutants like PM2.5 and heavier sand particles, impacting air quality in the National Capital Region.
• They serve as vital wildlife corridors between protected areas such as Sariska and Ranthambhore.
• The loss of lower hills might increase exposure to dust and sand particles from the Thar Desert, threatening livelihoods and health in the Indo-Gangetic plains, including Delhi-NCR.

Controversies and Technical Issues

• Slope Dilution: The ministry argued that the average slope in many districts is under 3 degrees, suggesting they might not qualify as Aravalli Hills under the previous criteria.
• Height Distortion: The ministry justified the 100-meter cutoff by stating that no district has an average ground elevation below 100 meters, although this compares elevation above sea level, not local relief.
• Certain districts with prominent Aravalli features were excluded from the ministry's list.

Response from Environmentalists and Officials

Environmental lawyer Ritwick Dutta criticized the focus on exclusion over caution. The Supreme Court commended the committee's work, accepting recommendations to prevent illegal mining and promote sustainable practices.

Historical and Procedural Context

• In 2010, the FSI suggested criteria based on a slope of 3 degrees and district-based minimum elevation.
• In 2024, a sub-committee recommended a slope of at least 4.57 degrees and a height of at least 30 meters for defining Aravalli Hills.
• Despite varied proposals, the ministry opted for the 100-meter elevation definition, stating agreement from Aravalli states, and submitted this to the Supreme Court.

Future Actions

The Supreme Court has directed the development of a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining in the Aravalli Hills under the new definition, with the involvement of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).