Opinion On Aravallis, fake claims abound on social media and among activists. Here are the facts

In the context of regulating mining, and emphasising that uncontrolled mining in Aravallis poses a “great threat to the ecology of the nation”, the Supreme Court has directed a uniform criteria, including policy level definition of Aravalli hills and range based on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)’s proposal and extensive consultations with state departments and agencies. This ruling has sparked a debate over the survival of Aravallis leading to mass protests and “Save Aravallis” campaigns. The government has emphasised that the latest ruling does not open up mining in the range and mining leases are permissible in only 0.19 per cent of the total area in the Aravalli.

However, ignoring the government statements, calling the Supreme Court decision a “death warrant” for Aravallis and claiming that more than 90 per cent of the Aravallis would be chopped off for corporate interests, it is clear that “activists” and propagandists have failed to understand the judgment and/or are misled into believing otherwise.

Debunking the claims

First, they have claimed that only landforms with an elevation of 100 m or more above the local relief would classify as “Aravali hill”, implying that any hills or landforms falling below this 100 m mark are exempted from mining prohibitions.

Incorrect. The Supreme Court has standardised the definition of regulated mining (followed by Rajasthan since 2006) which identified all landforms rising 100 m above local relief as hills and based on that, prohibiting mining on both the hills and its supporting slopes. On social media, “activists” have misinterpreted the 100-m range as the top 100 m, which is not true. In fact, all the landforms enclosed within the lowest binding contour encircling hills of height 100 m or more, irrespective of their height and slopes, are excluded for the purposes of grant of mining leases. Therefore, the 100-m criterion is not limited to height alone. Similarly, Aravalli range has been explained as all the landforms which exist within 500 m of two adjoining hills of height 100 m or more, and so intervening valleys, slopes, and smaller hillocks are also protected and are off-limits for mining. The Court has ordered the mandatory marking of Aravalli hills and range on Survey of India before any mining activity, even in clearly identified areas, occurs and ordered the explicit protection of the range. The Court’s ruling has not just standardised the definition to all the four states but improved the earlier definition with a view towards increasing the protected area.

Second, more alarmist claims have been made that 90 per cent of the Aravallis would be opened for mining and that not just the hills but agriculture, sanctuaries, reserves and core areas would be wiped out.

The truth is that any mining or construction activity — whether inside or outside the defined hill ranges — continues to require statutory environmental clearances, regulatory approvals and compliance with existing safeguards. In this regard, the Court in its ruling has clearly said “We, however, direct the MoEF&CC to prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) through Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) for the entire Aravalis.” This plan would identify permissible areas for mining, ecologically sensitive areas, and core areas only after incorporating a thorough analysis of the cumulative environmental impacts and include post-mining restoration and rehabilitation measures. Till the MPSM is finalised by the MoEF&CC through ICFRE, no new mining leases would be granted.

In any case, mining is absolutely prohibited in protected areas, eco-sensitive zones, tiger reserves, wetlands, and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) plantation sites. Further, the SC ruling does not override, suspend or abrogate any existing act or law related to the environment and forests including the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and so on.

Third, there have been claims of the government prioritising development over environmental protection.

Incorrect. The judgment strengthens environmental governance by making protection more precise, enforceable and science-based. Treating the Aravallis as a continuous geological ridge protects the entire landscape and prevents fragmentation. Further, by focusing on surveillance with drones, task forces, CCTVs, weighbridges, and district task forces, the ruling ensures strong enforcement and monitoring against unauthorised activities.

Role of Gehlot government in Aravallis’ destruction

In 2002, Congress government led by Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan filed a petition to allow mining under strict environmental rules and monitoring, after the stay order of Supreme Court on illegal mining and widespread protests. However, it was alleged that no clearances were obtained and environmental rules were openly flouted for illegal mining and rampant corruption. Later on, an expert committee under his tenure recommended a “100-metre” definition of the Aravalli hills based on Richard Murphy’s formula, citing the need to balance livelihoods and development. In application, however, the definition was twisted and narrowed to exclude large tracts of land from protection including slopes, enabling illicit mining and construction in ecologically sensitive zones. Despite that, it is ironic that Gehlot and Congress are misleading people by presenting themselves as the defenders of the Aravallis while their regime heralded its destruction. 

Under the NDA regime, environmental conservation is a critical part of the agenda and key strides include afforestation, wildlife protection, and waste management. Tiger reserves have risen to 54, and over 73,000 sq km designated as protected areas. The new ruling would ensure that the Aravalli continue to serve as a natural heritage and ecological shield for the nation.

Poonawalla is national spokesperson, BJP and Rattani works on environment and climate