The Supreme Court’s verdict allows broader mining and construction in the Aravallis, threatening water and air quality in Delhi and the NCR
The Ministry defines Aravallis as landforms 100m above local relief, ignoring that most of the range falls below this height
Over 90% of the Aravallis lie below 100m, yet technical committee recommendations for stricter protections were overlooked
Decades of illegal mining and construction have pushed the Aravallis into an ecological red zone, weakening their role as a natural shield
By 2018, 31 hilltops in Rajasthan had vanished. Forest cover dropped 32%, settlements rose, and dust from the Thar increasingly reaches NCR
Weakening environmental safeguards amid climate change risks public harm, especially for vulnerable communities dependent on natural resources
Protecting the Aravallis is vital for air, water, and climate resilience. A reconsideration of the definition is essential for sustainable planning