The Reason India's Aravalli Hills Are at the Centre of Escalating Unrest.

Demonstrations have broken out across northern India after the nation's top court issued a new definition for the Aravalli hills – among the planet's most ancient mountain ranges spanning the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and the capital territory.

Under the new definition, approved by the court based on federal government recommendations, an Aravalli hill is any landform with a minimum elevation of 100 metres (328 ft) above the adjacent land. A cluster of such hills less than half a kilometre of each other, combined with the land between them, are classified as an Aravalli range.

Ecologists assert that classifying Aravalli hills based on elevation risks leaving numerous shorter, vegetation-clad but ecologically critical hills unprotected from mining and construction.

The federal government, on the other hand, states that the new definition is meant to enhance oversight and bring uniformity and not weaken protections.

Why are People Protesting?

This weekend, calm demonstrations occurred in cities including Gurugram and Udaipur, organized by local residents, farmers, green activists, and, in some cases, lawyers and political parties.

A founder member of a prominent conservation collective commented that the new definition risks undermining the critical role of the Aravalli range in "preventing desertification, replenishing aquifers and safeguarding local economies" in northwest India.

The shorter, vegetated hills play a vital role in preventing desertification, recharging groundwater and supporting livelihoods as per experts.

"The Aravalli range must not be categorized by height alone, but by its environmental, physical and weather-related role," noted an ecology advocate involved in the movement to preserve the Aravallis.

He said that, globally, mountains and hill systems are classified by the roles they play, not by arbitrary elevation thresholds.

"Any feature that is geologically part of the Aravalli system and serves a vital purpose in ecology or preventing desertification should be recognised as a component of the system, irrespective of its height."

Protesters are calling for that the government delineate Aravalli areas using research-based parameters, including topography, ecology, animal corridors and environmental durability.

A campaigner cautioned that the court's new definition could encourage extractive industries, development and business projects, heightening the risk of environmental harm.

Opposition parties have ramped up their censure, cautioning that the new definition might lead to serious ecological damage.

One political leader declared that protecting the Aravallis is "fundamentally linked to Delhi's survival." A different official described the range the state's "lifeline," stating that without it, "a vast region up to Delhi would have become a desert."

The Government's Stance

India's federal government has sought to downplay these apprehensions.

In a recent statement, it asserted the new definition is meant to strengthen regulation and bring uniformity, noting that a clear, unambiguous definition was needed to regulate mining uniformly across states.

It added that the new definition covers the whole mountainous region – including slopes, associated landforms, and connecting zones – clearly safeguarding hill clusters and their linkages.

The national environment department said it is wrong to assume that mining will be allowed on all landforms under 100 metres.

The government states areas within the Aravalli hills or ranges are not eligible for new mining leases, while existing ones can continue if they adhere to sustainable mining norms.

It added that mining remains banned in core "protected" areas – reserved woodlands, eco-sensitive zones, and wetlands – aside from certain essential, national security, and nuclear minerals allowed by law.

The Environment Minister indicated only about 2% of the vast Aravalli range could potentially be mined, and only after comprehensive assessments and official approval.

Nevertheless, many of the demonstrating organizations say that demonstrations will continue and that they are exploring legal options to contest the court's new definition.