Aravalli Hills: Supreme Court Ruling and Environmental Significance

Overview of the Aravalli Hills

The Aravalli Mountain Range is one of the oldest fold mountain systems globally, with geological roots extending back nearly 1.5 billion years. Spanning over 690 km, it stretches from Gujarat through Rajasthan and Haryana to Delhi, serving as a vital natural barrier in north-western India.

Ecological Importance

The Aravalli Hills play a crucial role in:

• Preventing the eastward spread of the Thar Desert
• Regulating local climate and rainfall patterns
• Recharging groundwater aquifers
• Acting as a green buffer against air pollution, especially for the Delhi-NCR region

This mountain range is home to tropical dry deciduous forests, diverse flora and fauna, and is essential for sustaining rural livelihoods.

Threats and Challenges

Despite their ecological significance, the Aravalli Hills face severe degradation due to mining, urbanization, and infrastructure development. This situation necessitates robust legal and policy protections. Numerous court orders and expert committees have sought to define and safeguard the Aravallis, yet ambiguities in their legal definition persist.

Legal Context of the Aravalli Definition

The environmental protection of the Aravalli Hills has primarily evolved through judicial interventions rather than a singular comprehensive statute. The courts have based their decisions on:

• The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• Principles of forest conservation
• Previous Supreme Court rulings limiting mining activities

However, the lack of a clear scientific definition for the Aravalli range has resulted in disputes regarding which areas are eligible for environmental protection.

Recent Supreme Court Developments

In November 2025, the Supreme Court upheld a government expert panel's restrictive definition of the Aravalli Hills, which limited them to:

• Hills with elevations of 100 metres or more
• Hill clusters, slopes, and hillocks within 500 metres of each other

This definition significantly reduced the geographical scope of protected areas.

Current Rulings and Concerns

In December 2025, the Supreme Court put its November ruling on hold due to significant environmental concerns. Key points include:

• The court barred any irreversible actions based on the restrictive definition until further review.
• New mining leases in the Aravalli region are prohibited without court approval.
• Public concern has been raised regarding the 100-metre elevation rule, which could exclude many ecologically important hills.

The court noted that excluding lower hill ranges might create a regulatory gap, leading to unregulated mining and environmental degradation.

Committee Proposal and Future Steps

The Supreme Court proposed establishing a high-powered expert committee to:

• Reassess the ecological impacts of "regulated" or "sustainable" mining in excluded areas
• Evaluate the long-term environmental consequences of the restrictive definition
• Examine if the 500-metre clustering rule creates protection gaps for ecologically connected hills

The court emphasized that any final definition should be rooted in comprehensive scientific and geological assessments, aiming for holistic protection of the entire mountain system.

Environmental and Policy Implications

Over-reliance on technical definitions may undermine ecological goals. It is essential for mining regulations to strike a balance between economic activities and environmental sustainability. Judicial oversight is crucial, especially in the absence of clear legislative frameworks. This situation highlights the need for scientifically informed, ecosystem-based approaches to policy-making, rather than rigid physical thresholds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the significance of the Aravalli Hills?
Answer: The Aravalli Hills are vital for ecological balance, preventing desert expansion, regulating climate, and supporting biodiversity in north-western India.

Q2. Why is the Supreme Court involved with the Aravalli Hills?
Answer: The Supreme Court's involvement stems from environmental protection concerns and the need to define the geographical limits of the Aravalli Hills for effective legal protection.

Q3. What threatens the Aravalli Hills?
Answer: Major threats include mining, urbanization, and infrastructure development, which lead to ecological degradation and loss of biodiversity.

Q4. What actions has the Supreme Court taken recently?
Answer: The Supreme Court has paused its restrictive definition of the Aravalli Hills and proposed a review by a high-powered expert committee to reassess environmental impacts.

Q5. How do mining activities affect the Aravalli ecosystem?
Answer: Mining can lead to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and significant ecological imbalance, necessitating careful regulation and oversight.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the primary ecological role of the Aravalli Hills?
A) Prevent desert expansion
B) Provide urban development
C) Enhance mining activities
D) Support industrial growth
Correct Answer: A

Question 2: Which act governs environmental protection in India?
A) Wildlife Protection Act
B) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
C) Forest Conservation Act
D) Mining Regulation Act
Correct Answer: B