Archive · 29 Nov 2025
Aravallis Redefinition Sparks Environmental and Legal Concerns
The Aravalli hills have been protected from mining and real estate development since 1992 to prevent pollution and preserve biodiversity.
Recently, the Ministry of Environment suggested a new rule that only hills taller than 100 metres should be considered part of the Aravallis.
Experts say this change would leave out most of the hills, which could lead to more pollution and harm to the environment.
The Supreme Court is involved in deciding this, but there are concerns that the new rule might not protect the Aravallis as well as the old one did.
Some people think the ministry is helping mining and real estate companies instead of protecting the environment.
The Aravalli Notification of 1992 prohibited mining and real estate in the Aravallis in Gurgaon and Alwar districts.
The Ministry of Environment recently proposed a 100 metres height criteria to define Aravallis, which could exclude over 90% of hills in Rajasthan.
The Forest Survey of India (FSI) had earlier recommended a 3 degree slope criteria, which was endorsed by the Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee.
The new 100 metres criteria could lead to ecological disasters, increasing pollution and desertification in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Critics argue that the Ministry's proposal reeks of regulatory capture, prioritizing mining and real estate interests over environmental protection.
- Who
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF), Forest Survey of India (FSI), Supreme Court, Real Estate Firms, Mining Lobby
- What
- Redefinition of Aravallis to include a 100 metres height criteria for mining and conservation purposes
- When
- Initial notification in 1992, Supreme Court orders from 2002 onwards, FSI delineation in 2010, Current redefinition process
- Where
- Aravalli ranges in the districts of Gurgaon, Alwar, and Rajasthan
- Why
- To balance mining with conservation and protect the Aravallis, but concerns raised about ecological impact and regulatory capture
- Year of Initial Aravalli Notification
- 1992
- Supreme Court Orders for Aravalli Protection
- 2002 onwards
- FSI Delineation of Aravallis in Rajasthan
- 2010
- Proposed Aravalli Definition Criteria
- 100 metres height
- FSI Recommended Criteria
- 3 degree slope
- Potential Impact of 100 Metre Criteria
- Exclusion of over 90% of hills in Rajasthan
- Aravalli Landforms in Revenue Records
- Gair mumkin pahar in Haryana and Rajasthan
- NCRPB Identification of Aravallis
- 2017
