The Aravalli Mountain range is currently trending due to a significant Supreme Court ruling (delivered in late November 2025) that established a new, uniform definition of what constitutes an “Aravalli Hill.” This has sparked a massive environmental debate and widespread protests across Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi.
Here is the breakdown of why it is making headlines:
1. The Controversial “100-Metre Rule”
The Supreme Court accepted a definition proposed by the Union Environment Ministry stating that only landforms rising 100 metres or more above the local ground level will officially be recognized as “Aravalli Hills.”
- The Concern: Environmentalists and the Forest Survey of India (FSI) warn that nearly 90% of the Aravalli hillocks are lower than 100 metres.
- The “Death Warrant” Claim: Critics have labeled this ruling a “death warrant” for the range, fearing that these smaller hills will lose their legal protection and be opened up for large-scale mining, construction, and commercial development.
2. Widespread Protests and #SaveAravalli
The ruling has triggered a massive public outcry:
- Social Media: The hashtag #SaveAravalli has been trending on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) as citizens and activists demand the protection of the entire range, regardless of height.
- Ground Protests: Large demonstrations have been held in cities like Gurugram and Udaipur. In Rajasthan, political leaders and environmental groups have organized “Save Aravalli” marches, arguing that the range is the “green lung” of Northern India.
- Ecological Impact: Protesters highlight that the Aravallis act as a natural barrier against the Thar Desert’s expansion toward Delhi-NCR and are vital for groundwater recharge.
3. The Government’s Stance
In response to the backlash, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and several state officials have issued clarifications:
- Protection Claims: The government asserts that the new definition actually brings more than 90% of the Aravalli region under a “protected zone” by removing legal ambiguities that previously allowed “gaps” to be exploited by the mining mafia.
- Mining Freeze: The Centre has announced a freeze on all new mining leases in the region until a “Management Plan for Sustainable Mining” is finalized by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).
4. The Aravalli Safari Park Controversy
Adding to the tension is the proposed Aravalli Jungle Safari Park in Haryana (planned for the Gurugram-Nuh belt).
- While the government pitches it as a “conservation-driven” tourism project, activists have petitioned the Supreme Court, arguing that building massive infrastructure like roads and enclosures in a fragile ecosystem will cause irreversible damage to wildlife corridors and biodiversity.
Why this matters to you:
If the Aravalli hills are degraded, experts warn of higher air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), a severe water crisis due to lost groundwater recharge, and more extreme weather patterns as the desert shield disappears.