Aravalli

The Supreme Court said confusion over how the Aravalli range was defined warranted a pause, and ordered an independent expert panel to reassess the environmental impact of mining

Jairam Ramesh, in a letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, asked if the redefinition would result in the loss of several small hillocks and undermine the geographical integrity

The Centre has directed states to halt new mining leases in the Aravalli range, citing environmental concerns, days after the Supreme Court defined the hills, leaving low-lying areas unprotected

"Why is the Modi Govt pushing through a fatally flawed redefinition of the Aravallis?" Ramesh asked in his tweet

The Aravallis are the country's natural heritage and have great ecological value, the Congress on Tuesday said, as it wondered why the Modi government was "hell-bent" on redefining the mountain range and for whose benefit. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the recent "clarifications" on the ancient mountain range given by the Environment and Forest Minister raise more questions. "Aravallis are part of our natural heritage and have great ecological value. They need substantial restoration and meaningful protection. Why is the Modi Government hellbent on redefining them? To what end? For whose benefit? "And why are the recommendations of a professional organisation like the Forest Survey of India being deliberately ignored and set aside?" he asked. Ramesh also said, "The very recent 'clarifications' given by the Union Minister of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change on the Aravallis issue raise even more questions and doubts." The Congress leader, who

Yadav said the apex court's acceptance of the Centre's definition of the Aravalli hills and its approval of sustainable mining norms marked a major moment for environmental governance

The Aravalli range is more than a backdrop to Delhi-NCR. It helps recharge groundwater, buffers dust and desert winds, and supports crucial wildlife corridors.

It is worth noting that the bulk of the degradation of the Aravallis is the result of plain illegal activities, costing state governments crores of rupees in revenue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially inaugurate the project on June 5. Last year the theme was 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam', which continues

The Supreme Court injunction in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi will not affect existing mining operations

The government officials said that when intercepted, these illegal miners pretend that they did not realise entering Haryana and that they have the required permit to quarry stones in Rajasthan

Green strip across Aravalli will have numerous benefits

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for Thursday

Thar desert can creep towards the east

Two-wheeler market leader Hero MotoCorp on Tuesday said it will work towards ecological restoration and conservation of the Aravali Biodiversity Park at Gurugram, in Haryana for the next 10 years

India needs an urgent rethink on forest cover

His final legal definition of forests to decide the fate of real estate and mining in the hills