ARAVALLIS, AIR AND ENVIRONMENTAL RECKONING WE FACE

A hundred years ago, famous US lawyer and jurist Benjamin N. Cardozo aptly said—“History, in illuminating the past, illuminates the present, and in illuminating the present, illuminates the future.”

- SHASHI SHEKHAR

Let’s discuss our current 'smoggy present' while paying homage to Benjamin.

The last week of 2025 was marked by intense struggle. People in Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Western Uttar Pradesh were up in arms on the issue of the Aravalli range. Reason? On 20 November, the Supreme Court passed a judgement that only the hills that are 100 metres or higher would be considered part of the Aravalli range. The order was based on the logic extended by the government that for administrative ease a clear definition for the ranges was needed to formulate developmental policies. However, those opposed to the judgement used adjectives like ‘death warrant’ for the Aravalli hills.

They insisted that the judgement threatens 90% of the Aravalli. Sensing trouble, environment minister Bhupender Yadav clarified that only 0.19% of the Aravalli range will be open to mining. He said care would be taken to conserve the entire mountain range and its wildlife. Still, concerns are rife. Finally on 24 December, the government banned any new mining lease in the Aravalli. We must remember that the Aravallis act as a bulwark against the expanding Thar desert, creating conducive conditions for lush greenery that we see in Northern India.

Still the area faces utter neglect.