Environmentalists seeks action against alleged illegal borewell drilling in protected Aravalli forest area near Haiderpur Viran. (File Photo/Representational)
‘Save the Aravallis’, ‘Stop Messing with the Aravallis’, ‘Let me Breathe’, ‘Murder by definition’, ‘Save Aravallis from land mafia and bureaucrats’ — these were among the slogans on placards and banners as more than a hundred protesters gathered outside the official residence of Haryana Environment Minister Rao Narbir Singh on Saturday for a silent demonstration.
Unfazed by fog and winter chill, protesters — a mix of young and old — registered their objection against the recent Supreme Court order accepting Centre’s recommendation, which redefines the Aravallis, and effectively means that only hill structures above 100m in height would be entitled to environmental protection.
Environmentalists have contended that the definition would in effect open up 99% of the Aravallis in Haryana to the mining and real estate sector.
The demonstrators formed human chains on either of the roads outside the Civil Lines residence-cum office of the Environment Minister. “This (SC order) gives a free hand for anything to be done in the Aravallis, be it mining or real estate… 99% of the Aravallis in Haryana will be affected,” said environmentalist and conservationist Sunil Harsana.
Aam Aadmi Party leader and spokesperson Dr Sarika Verma said the new definition will sound the death knell for the Aravallis. “The Union and state governments are both responsible… and it is unfortunate that money and ‘development’ have been prioritised over air quality. The future of the next generation has been sold out over the years to benefit builders (eyeing the ranges) by hook or crook,” she said.
Vaishali Rana, environmentalist and trustee of Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement, said: “With this definition, the NCR will not be livable at all, the air quality is already so bad. We plan to file a public interest litigation (PIL) against the definition.”
The RWA chairperson of Suncity township off Golf Course Road, which lies at the foothills of the Aravallis, said: “The forests behind us will have nothing left. It is a very disappointing order.”
Story continues below this ad
The protest began at 3 pm and lasted an hour. A letter was then submitted at the office of the Minister with signatures of the participants.
The letter, prepared by the Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement, stated that only 1,048 out of 1,19,575 hills will remain protected, threatening the entire 76,000 sq km Aravalli range, the world’s oldest mountain systems, across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The letter stated the demands of an urgent comparative analysis of all definitions, time bound judicial reports to be placed and a reconsideration of the definition with results.
Abhimanyu Hazarika is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Gurgaon. He covers southern Haryana.
Education
- Post-Graduate Diploma in Print Media, Asian College of Journalism (Class of 2020)
- B.A. (Hons) Liberal Arts with a major in Political Science, Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts (Class of 2019)
Professional Experience
Before joining The Indian Express, he worked with Bar & Bench (legal journalism) and Frontline magazine, where he developed experience in court reporting, legal analysis, and long-form investigative features.
Reporting Interests
His work centres on civic accountability, environmental policy, urban infrastructure and culture, crime and law enforcement, and their intersections with politics and governance in and around Gurgaon.
Recent Coverage (2025)
- Crime: Reported on the recovery of 350 kg of explosives and an AK-47 from a rented house in Faridabad, linked to the 2025 Red Fort car explosion case (November 11, 2025).
- Environmental policy: Covered protests outside a Haryana minister’s residence against a Supreme Court order that environmentalists argue could allow mining and real estate development on large parts of the Aravalli hills (December 21, 2025).
- Pollution control measures: Co-authored coverage of the Rekha Gupta government’s enforcement of vehicle restrictions at Delhi-NCR borders (December 21, 2025).
- Road safety and infrastructure: Examined response lapses in the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway hit-and-run case and ongoing investigations into high-speed road crimes in Gurugram.
- Animal welfare policy: Reported on concerns regarding the low budget allocated for stray dog sterilization by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (November 30, 2025).
- Urban culture: Featured the social media-driven popularity of a new Magnolia Bakery outlet in Gurugram (December 15, 2025).
Contact
X (Twitter): @AB_Hazardous ... Read More
