One map changes everything

IF THE LEGAL DEFINITION SHRINKS THE ARAVALLIS, MANY DEGRADED RIDGES MAY NOT GET THE SAME LEVEL OF PROTECTION OR PRIORITY

- Malayaranjan Sahoo & Mohini Gupta

The Supreme Court's order of 20 November, 2025 can still help save the Aravalli range.

It asked for a "Management Plan for Sustainable Mining" for the whole Aravalli belt, from Gujarat to Delhi, and said no new mining leases should be given until this plan is ready.

At the same time, the SC accepted a new way to define an Aravalli hill for mining rules. Under this rule, only land that rises at least 100 metres above the nearby ground will be counted as an Aravalli hill. Groups of such hills within 500 metres will be treated as an Aravalli range. This may look clear, but it can reduce the area that is officially called "Aravalli", and that can reduce protection for many smaller hills.

On 17 December, the SC took up a fresh plea challenging the 100-metre rule and asked the Centre, the environment ministry, and the Haryana and Rajasthan governments to respond. The plea says many smaller hills are ecologically important and should not lose protection only because they are below 100 metres. This means the definition is still under challenge.