Nearly One-Third of Aravalli Range Faces Ecological Risk After New Classification, Conservation Group Warns

Nearly 31.8 per cent of the Aravalli mountain range is facing serious ecological risk following a recent classification by the Centre that limits legal protection to landforms above 100 metres in height, a people-driven conservation collective has warned. The findings, based on a detailed satellite audit, have raised alarm among environmentalists, who fear the move could open vast stretches of one of India’s oldest mountain systems to mining and unchecked development.

The findings were presented on Monday by the “We Are Aravalli” collective, which demanded that the entire Aravalli range be declared a fully protected zone, without any distinction between “hills” and “mountains” based on height. The group has also called for a complete ban on mining activities across the range, citing irreversible ecological damage.

Disputed Classification Sparks Concern

The controversy centres around a recent decision by the Centre to define hills eligible for protection as those rising above 100 metres, a move conservationists say ignores the geological and ecological continuity of the Aravallis. According to the collective, this classification leaves nearly one-third of the range vulnerable to degradation.

While the Centre has estimated that only 0.19 per cent of the Aravalli region would be affected by the new definition, conservation groups strongly dispute this figure. They argue that satellite data paints a far more alarming picture, showing widespread areas that would lose protection despite being ecologically critical.

“The Aravallis are not isolated hillocks but a continuous and ancient geological system,” members of the collective said. “Any artificial height-based distinction undermines the scientific understanding of the range and threatens its survival.”

Supreme Court Intervention

The matter has also reached the judiciary. The Supreme Court has put its directions concerning the definition of the Aravalli hills in abeyance, offering temporary relief to conservationists. However, activists say the pause does not address the core issue and stress that long-term protection requires a clear and comprehensive legal framework.

Environmental lawyers point out that earlier court orders recognised the Aravallis as a critical ecological barrier that protects the Indo-Gangetic plains from desertification. Any dilution of protection, they warn, could have far-reaching consequences for water security, air quality, and biodiversity across northern India.

Why the Aravallis Matter

Stretching over 800 kilometres from Gujarat through Rajasthan to Haryana and Delhi, the Aravalli range is among the oldest mountain systems in the world. It plays a vital role in regulating climate, recharging groundwater, and acting as a natural shield against the expansion of the Thar Desert.

The hills also host diverse flora and fauna, including several endangered species, and serve as a crucial green lung for the National Capital Region (NCR). Environmental experts have repeatedly warned that degradation of the Aravallis contributes to rising air pollution, falling groundwater levels, and increasing heat extremes in cities like Delhi, Gurugram, and Faridabad.

Mining and Urban Pressure

Mining has long been one of the biggest threats to the Aravallis. Despite multiple bans and restrictions over the years, illegal and semi-legal mining activities have continued in parts of Rajasthan and Haryana, often under the guise of development projects.

Conservation groups argue that redefining protected hills could legitimise further mining, road construction, and real estate expansion. “Once an area loses its protected status, it becomes extremely difficult to reverse the damage,” said an environmental activist associated with the movement.

Rapid urbanisation around Jaipur, Alwar, Gurugram, and Faridabad has already fragmented large portions of the range, making remaining forested areas even more critical for ecological balance.

Demand for ‘Fully Protected Zone’ Status

The “We Are Aravalli” collective has demanded that the entire Aravalli range be declared a ‘fully protected zone’, similar to ecologically sensitive areas notified elsewhere in the country. This would mean uniform protection across the range, regardless of elevation, and stricter enforcement against mining and construction.

The group has also urged policymakers to adopt a landscape-level conservation approach, recognising the Aravallis as a single ecological entity rather than a collection of isolated hills.

Growing Public Support

Public concern over the fate of the Aravallis has been growing, particularly in the NCR, where residents increasingly link environmental degradation to worsening air pollution and water scarcity. Citizen groups have also demanded that the range be declared a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve, a move they believe would bring international attention and stronger safeguards.

Environmentalists say the debate over classification should serve as a wake-up call. “This is not just about definitions or percentages,” one activist said. “It is about whether we choose short-term economic gains over long-term ecological survival.”

What Lies Ahead

With the Supreme Court’s intervention offering only temporary respite, the future of the Aravalli range remains uncertain. Much will depend on how the Centre responds to scientific evidence and public pressure in the coming weeks.

As climate change intensifies and natural buffers become more critical than ever, conservationists warn that weakening protections for the Aravallis could prove to be a costly mistake — not just for Rajasthan or Haryana, but for millions who depend on the fragile ecological balance of northern India.