Billions of years ago, when the first breaths of life were drawn on Earth, the Aravalli mountain range stood tall and still. It not only stopped the growing desert and provided water and greenery to North India but also promoted a prosperous life. If the story of the Earth was seen from space, it would have been identified by a green line even billions of years ago – the Aravalli mountain range. It is not just a mountain range but a witness of time, which witnessed every big and small movement of continents, gave birth to many civilizations and breathed new life into North India by blocking the desert. But today the existence of Aravali is in danger. Behind it lies human greed, policy failures and corporate interests. The question is, will we be able to save this bailout, or will it go down in history as a “death decision”? Environmental activist Pranay Lal wrote in his 2019 article, “Aravalli: A Lost Mountain,” that “Aravalli is now struggling to survive against the narrow-mindedness of politicians and companies.” Six years later, in 2025, this warning became a harsh reality again. Why is Aravali in news again? On November 20, 2025, a decision of the Supreme Court sent a wave of concern across the country. The Court adopted a new and very narrow definition of the Aravalli Hills. According to this definition, only those hills which are 100 meters or more higher than their surrounding area will be considered as “Aravalli”. The government argued that this would bring “administrative clarity” and make planning for sustainable development easier. However, environmentalists say that this decision will take away legal protection of 90% of the Aravalli range, hence it is called a “death decision”. Why is 90% of Aravali in danger? According to this definition, based on government affidavits, out of 12,081 Aravali hills identified in Rajasthan, only 1,048 (about 8.7%) meet this new standard. This means that the remaining hills, which are low in elevation but play an important role in groundwater recharge, biodiversity and the prevention of dust storms, can now be opened up for mining and property development. GIS mapping already shows mine damage at more than 3,000 sites. Experts warn that if mining starts in the lower hills, not only will the groundwater level fall, but the aquifers of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Delhi-NCR will also become contaminated. Conflict between humans and wild animals will increase, and the expansion of the Thar Desert will accelerate. Why is Aravali the lifeline of North India? Aravali is not just ordinary mountains. They are the main source of rivers like Chambal, Sabarmati and Luni. They prevent the Thar Desert from spreading eastwards and act as green lungs for Delhi-NCR. This mountain range, which stretches over 650 kilometers, is about 2 billion years old. Environmental activist Neelam Ahuja, who has been fighting for the Aravalis for the past 12 years through People for Aravalis, says that if the Aravalis disappear, northwest India will become a desert. This will have a direct impact on water, food and lives of millions of people. Why are questions raised about this decision? This is not the first time this issue has come up. In 2018, the Supreme Court itself said that 31 Aravali hills had disappeared due to mining. Yet the court adopted an older standard from 2010 that environmentalists now call “disastrous.” The controversy grew when it came to light that the central government’s affidavit did not include areas like Chittorgarh (where the fort is located on a high Aravalli hill) and Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore Tiger Reserve). How bad is the reality on the ground? Many mountains in Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri of Haryana were completely destroyed. The water level in Mahendragarh has dropped by 1,500-2,000 feet. Silicosis, skin diseases and lung diseases have increased due to dust from illegal mining. Even children lose their lives; Flying stones and detonators from blasting are a daily threat. Politics and Public Movement After this decision, #SaveAravalli and #SaveAravallisSaveAQI are trending on social media. Protests are taking place from Pink City Jaipur to Delhi. Rural communities have announced a symbolic fast on December 21, especially in the Tosham hills of Haryana, considered the northernmost extent of the Aravalli range. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have accused the central government of favoring the mining lobby. Meanwhile, many experts are demanding the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision. What is the way forward? Neelam Ahuja clearly states that the Aravali range cannot be measured on a scale of 100 meters. It is not just a mountain range, but our lifeline. The entire Aravalli region should be declared an important ecological zone. The question now is not only about law, but whether North India will remain green in the future or become a desert. If the Aravalli range is saved, water, air and life will be saved; Otherwise, this decision will go down in history as a “death decision” that changed everything.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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