Reality: Illegal mining rampant in Aravalli hills

THE Supreme Court’s recent acceptance of the Union environment ministry’s definition of the Aravalli hills—restricting the range to landforms with an elevation of more than 100 metres—has triggered protests across Rajasthan.

- RAJESH ASNANI AND HARPREET BAJWA @ Jaipur/Chandigath

Political leaders, environmental activists, social media influencers and citizens have warned that the move will entail serious ecological and economic consequences.

Under the revised definition, nearly 90% of the Aravalli range in Rajasthan, consisting of hills lower than 100 metres, will no longer be classified as part of the protected range. According to available data, 1,048 out of 1.6 lakh hillocks in the state meet the 100-metre criterion. Professor Laxmikant Sharma of the Central University of Rajasthan said, “In Rajasthan, the Aravalli hills are largely between 30 and 80 metres in height. This means near-

ly 90% of the range is directly under threat.”