Protecting India's Aravalli Range: An Interview with Anuradha P. Dhawan

• The Indian Supreme Court has legally redefined the Aravalli hills to include only landforms rising at least 100 metres above ground, sparking fears of increased mining and real estate development.
• The 'Aravalli Bachao Citizens’ Movement' is a grassroots collective working to defend the range, which is vital for groundwater recharge, desertification control, and regional climate moderation.
• Campaigners argue that government claims of 'administrative uniformity' are masking a systematic rollback of environmental protections to benefit corporate interests.

The Supreme Court Verdict and Controversy

• On November 20, 2025, the Supreme Court accepted a proposal from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to apply a 100-metre elevation threshold for legal protection of the Aravallis.
• Environmentalists contend that this definition ignores the range's ecological continuity and leaves significant portions of the hills vulnerable to exploitation.
• While the court paused new mining leases temporarily, critics warn that the new definition clears the path for infrastructure projects like the NCR-2041 plan.

The Aravalli Bachao Citizens’ Movement

• The movement began in February 2025 in response to a proposed road project cutting through the Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Gurugram.
• It has since evolved into a citizen-led collective resisting the dilution of environmental laws, such as the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA).
• Activists have documented illegal mining, noting that while the region is officially a no-mining zone, mining mafias continue to operate through bribery and intimidation.

Government Policy and Activist Pressure

• Activists challenge the Environment Minister's claims of "no relaxation" in regulations, citing a lack of verifiable data on the range's total area and protected zones.
• Discrepancies exist between official government figures and independent estimates; for example, the government claims the range covers 147,000 square kilometres, while credible estimates suggest closer to 76,000.
• Environmental activists report increasing harassment, including police detention, home visits, and surveillance by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for engaging in peaceful, non-confrontational advocacy.