The Reason The Nation's Aravalli Mountain Range Are at the Centre of Increasing Unrest.

Demonstrations have broken out across northern India after the nation's top court issued a new definition for the Aravalli hills – one of the world's oldest mountain ranges spanning the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and the capital territory.

Under the new definition, approved by the court following central government suggestions, an Aravalli hill is any landform with a minimum elevation of 100 metres (328 ft) above the surrounding terrain. A cluster of such hills less than half a kilometre of each other, combined with the land between them, are classified as an Aravalli range.

Conservationists contend that classifying Aravalli hills by height could leave numerous lower, scrub-covered but vitally important hills unprotected from mining and construction.

The central administration, on the other hand, states that the new definition is designed to strengthen regulation and establish consistency and not dilute protections.

Why are People Protesting?

Recently, peaceful protests took place in cities including Gurugram and Udaipur, organized by community members, farmers, environmental activists, and, in some cases, lawyers and political groups.

A founder member of a prominent environmental group commented that the new definition risks undermining the critical role of the Aravalli range in "halting desert expansion, recharging groundwater and safeguarding local economies" in northwest India.

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

"The Aravalli range must not be categorized by height alone, but by its ecological, geological and climatic function," said an ecology advocate involved in the movement to preserve the Aravallis.

He pointed out that, internationally, mountain ranges are identified by the functions they perform, not by random height benchmarks.

"Any feature that is geologically part of the Aravalli system and plays a critical role in the ecosystem or combating desertification must be acknowledged as part of the range, regardless of its height."

Activists are demanding that the government delineate Aravalli areas using scientific criteria, including topography, ecology, animal corridors and climate resilience.

A campaigner cautioned that the court's new definition might promote extractive industries, development and business projects, heightening the threat of environmental harm.

Opposition parties have stepped up criticism, cautioning that the new definition could cause significant environmental degradation.

A senior politician declared that protecting the Aravallis is "inseparable from Delhi's survival." A different official called the range the state's "lifeline," 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 apprehensions.

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

It further stated that the new definition covers the whole mountainous region – including slopes, related features, and connecting zones – explicitly protecting hill clusters and their connections.

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

The government says areas inside the Aravalli hills or ranges are excluded from new mining leases, while existing ones can continue if they adhere to sustainable mining norms.

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

The minister responsible for ecology indicated only about 2% of the 147,000 sqkm Aravalli range could potentially be mined, and only after detailed studies and formal clearance.

Nevertheless, many of the demonstrating organizations say that demonstrations will continue and that they are considering judicial avenues to challenge the court's new definition.