Controversy on redefining Aravallis

The Aravalli hills, one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges, have become the eye of a growing political storm over its new defining criteria and the environmental implications of the new definition.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

1. What is the controversy about?

A committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) recommended a change in the definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges to protect the world’s oldest mountain system in October this year.

The Supreme Court accepted the recommendations last month but kept the order in abeyance Monday.

2. What were the committee’s recommendations?

The committee had recommended that the “Aravalli Hill” be defined as any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above its local relief, and an “Aravalli Range” will be a collection of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other.