THE ARAVALLI FIASCO
Manish Modi
The Aravalli Range, geologically the oldest mountain system on the Indian subcontinent, is an irreplaceable ecological shield. Stretching across north-western India, it protects the fertile plains from desertification, recharges vital groundwater reserves, regulates local climate, and serves as a crucial pollution sink for the Delhi–NCR region.
As a natural barrier, the Aravallis halt the eastward advance of the Thar Desert. Their rocky terrain and forest cover capture rainwater, replenishing underground aquifers that sustain millions of people. The hills moderate temperature extremes, influence rainfall patterns, and absorb carbon dioxide and airborne dust, acting as the green lungs of one of the world’s most polluted regions. This ancient landscape is also a sanctuary for rich biodiversity, including species found nowhere else.
Recent concerns have deepened following a Supreme Court ruling in November 2025 that introduced an elevation-based definition of the Aravalli Hills. By recognising only landforms rising at least 100 metres above the surrounding terrain, the ruling excludes more than 90% of the range from legal protection. Environmental experts warn that the lower hillocks, often the first line of defence against dust storms and ecological collapse, are now exposed to unchecked mining and construction.
This development comes at a time when mining, concrete-led urbanisation, and declining tree cover are already placing unbearable pressure on our environment. The consequences are not abstract. They are felt in falling water tables, rising temperatures, worsening air quality, and growing public health risks.
Preserving the Aravallis is not merely about conserving heritage. It is about survival. The loss of this range would be an ecological catastrophe with long-lasting consequences for our land and our people.
We must demand stronger environmental safeguards, the restoration of green cover, and the strict enforcement of existing laws. Protection of the Aravalli Range is not optional; it is a vital necessity.
CONTACT DETAILS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORITIES
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Indira Paryavaran Bhavan
Jor Bagh Road
New Delhi 110003
Email: secy...@nic.in
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
Parivesh Bhavan East Arjun Nagar
Delhi 110032
Email: mscb...@nic.in
The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB)
C-11, Sector-6
Panchakula 134109
Email: hsp...@gmail.com
The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB)
4 Jhalana Institutional Area
Jhalana Doongri
Jaipur 302004
Email: member-s...@rpcb.nic.in
Save the Aravallis
Save Mother Nature
Save India
Jay Hind!
Vande Mātaram!
