Why The Nation's Aravalli Hills Have Become the Epicenter of Growing Demonstrations.

Demonstrations have broken out across the northern part of the country after the nation's top court redefined the Aravalli hills – one of the world's oldest geological formations spanning the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi.

Under the new definition, endorsed by the court following central government recommendations, an Aravalli hill is any landform rising at least 100 metres (328 ft) above the adjacent land. A cluster of such hills less than half a kilometre of each other, combined with the land between them, are deemed to be an Aravalli range.

Conservationists contend that classifying Aravalli hills by height potentially excludes many shorter, vegetation-clad but vitally important hills vulnerable to quarrying and development.

The central administration, however, maintains that the revised definition is designed to tighten controls and bring uniformity and not weaken safeguards.

What is Sparking the Demonstrations?

Over the past few days, peaceful protests were held in cities including Gurugram and Udaipur, led by local residents, farmers, environmental activists, and, in some cases, lawyers and political groups.

A founder member of a key environmental group commented that the new definition risks undermining the critical role of the Aravalli range in "preventing desertification, replenishing aquifers and safeguarding local economies" in northwest India.

The lower, scrub-covered hills play a vital role in preventing desertification, boosting water tables and supporting livelihoods as per experts.

"This mountain system must not be categorized by height alone, but by its environmental, physical and weather-related purpose," noted an environmental activist associated with the movement to save the Aravallis.

He added that, internationally, mountain ranges are identified by the functions they perform, not by arbitrary elevation thresholds.

"Any feature that is geologically part of the Aravalli system and serves a vital purpose in the ecosystem or preventing desertification should be recognised as a component of the system, irrespective of its height."

Protesters are calling for that the government define Aravalli areas using research-based parameters, encompassing geography, biodiversity, animal corridors and environmental durability.

A campaigner cautioned that the court's new definition could encourage mining, construction and commercial activity, heightening the risk of environmental harm.

Opposition parties have stepped up criticism, warning that the new definition might lead to significant environmental degradation.

One political leader said that protecting the Aravallis is "fundamentally linked to Delhi's survival." Another leader described the range the state's "life-support system," adding that without it, "the entire area up to Delhi would have become a desert."

What Does the Government Say?

India's central government has attempted to minimize these concerns.

In a recent statement, it said the new definition is meant to bolster governance and create standardization, noting that a single, objective definition was needed to regulate mining uniformly across states.

It further stated that the new definition covers the entire hill system – incorporating slopes, associated landforms, and connecting zones – clearly safeguarding hill clusters and their linkages.

The federal environment ministry said it is wrong to assume that mining will be permitted on all landforms under 100 metres.

The government states areas within the Aravalli hills or ranges are not eligible for new mining leases, while current operations can continue if they adhere to environmentally sound practices.

It noted that mining remains prohibited in core "inviolate" areas – reserved woodlands, environmentally fragile zones, and wetlands – except for certain essential, national security, and nuclear minerals permitted by law.

The minister responsible for ecology said only about two percent of the vast Aravalli range could potentially be mined, and only after comprehensive assessments and official approval.

However, several of the protesting groups contend that protests will persist and that they are exploring legal options to contest the court's new definition.