Context: The Supreme Court has accepted the Centre’s new definition of the Aravalli Hills, limiting protection to landforms rising 100 metres or more above local relief.
- The ruling has triggered a nationwide #SaveAravalli campaign, with experts warning it could expose large parts of the Aravallis to mining and ecological damage.
About Save Aravalli campaign:
What it is?
- A citizen-led, expert-backed environmental campaign opposing the dilution of legal protection for the Aravalli mountain range, one of the world’s oldest geological systems.
- It mobilises public opinion, scientific voices and civil society to demand comprehensive ecological protection beyond narrow elevation-based definitions.
Issues raised:
- Redefinition risk: The 100-metre criterion may exclude low-lying ridges, forested outcrops and catchments that are ecologically integral.
- Mining exposure: Experts warn that up to ~60% of the Aravalli landscape could become vulnerable to mining.
- Hydrology & climate impacts: Loss of ridges threatens groundwater recharge, dust control and heat moderation, especially for Delhi-NCR.
- Biodiversity loss: Fragmentation of wildlife corridors (leopards, birds) and degradation of commons.
- Governance concern: Uniform geomorphological definitions may ignore landscape ecology and cumulative impacts.
Significance:
- Ecological shield: The Aravallis act as the green lungs of North India, blocking Thar Desert dust and stabilising local climate.
- Water security: They recharge aquifers and feed rivers like Chambal, Sabarmati and Luni.
- Climate resilience: Intact ridges reduce heat extremes, drought risk and air pollution.
Relevance in UPSC syllabus
- GS Paper I – Geography
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- Physiography of India, ancient mountain systems, desertification processes.
- GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology
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- Biodiversity conservation, mining impacts, groundwater recharge, climate adaptation.
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and sustainable development debates.
- GS Paper IV – Ethics
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- Environmental ethics, intergenerational justice, precautionary principle.
