Centre Fails to Define Aravalis, Leaving Hills Vulnerable to Mining
Centre's failure to define Aravali hills leaves vast stretches vulnerable to mining despite SC warnings.
Photo by Aditi Gupta
Here's the surprising part: Despite over a year of effort, three committees, and even a Supreme Court warning of contempt proceedings, the Centre has failed to comprehensively define the ancient Aravali range. The Environment Ministry's affidavit to the Supreme Court revealed that a new sub-committee, formed in August 2025, abandoned the attempt to define the entire range. Instead, it focused on a definition that would "balance" ecological concerns with the 2019 National Mineral Policy, which encourages critical mineral mining.
The controversial outcome is a definition that protects only hills higher than 100 meters, potentially leaving the vast majority of the 700-km range across Haryana, Gujarat, and Rajasthan open to mining and degradation. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has stated no new mining licenses will be awarded until a Sustainable Mining Management Plan is prepared, in line with a November 20 apex court order.
Key Facts
Centre failed to define Aravali hills despite over a year's effort and three committees.
Supreme Court warned of initiating contempt proceedings against Environment Ministry officials.
New sub-committee formed in August 2025.
Proposed definition protects only hills higher than 100 meters from mining.
Environment Minister stated no new mining licenses until a Sustainable Mining Management Plan is prepared.
National Mineral Policy 2019 encourages mining of critical minerals.
UPSC Exam Angles
Geographical significance and characteristics of Aravalis
Environmental protection vs. economic development dilemma
Role of judiciary in environmental governance (Supreme Court's intervention)
National Mineral Policy 2019 and its implications
Challenges in environmental policy formulation and implementation
Concept of 'critical minerals' and their strategic importance
Visual Insights
Aravali Range: Extent & Vulnerability to Mining (Dec 2025)
This map illustrates the geographical spread of the ancient Aravali range across four states (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi) and highlights the regions potentially vulnerable to mining under the Centre's controversial new definition, which protects only hills higher than 100 meters. The red markers indicate key points along the range, emphasizing its vastness and the potential impact of the limited definition.
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Aravali Protection: A Timeline of Policy, Judiciary & Definition Efforts (2019-2025)
This timeline chronicles the key events, policy shifts, and judicial interventions concerning the Aravali range, highlighting the Centre's prolonged struggle to define it and the escalating environmental concerns. It shows the interplay between policy (NMP 2019), judicial oversight (Supreme Court), and executive action (MoEFCC committees).
The struggle to protect the Aravalis is rooted in decades of unregulated mining and urbanization. The NMP 2019, while promoting sustainable mining, also incentivized critical mineral extraction, creating a policy conflict with environmental protection. The Supreme Court has consistently intervened to uphold environmental laws and protect ecologically sensitive areas, making its role critical in this ongoing saga.
- 2019National Mineral Policy 2019 released, encouraging critical mineral mining and streamlining clearances.
- 2023 (Early)Supreme Court begins actively monitoring the issue of Aravali definition and protection, citing environmental concerns.
- 2024 (Early)Centre forms multiple committees (reported as three) to comprehensively define the Aravali range.
- 2025 (August)A new sub-committee, formed by the MoEFCC, abandons the attempt to define the entire Aravali range. Instead, it proposes a definition protecting only hills higher than 100 meters, aiming to 'balance' ecology with NMP 2019.
- 2025 (November)Supreme Court issues a strong order, warning of contempt proceedings against the Centre for failure to define Aravalis and mandates a 'Sustainable Mining Management Plan' (SMMP) before new mining licenses are issued.
- 2025 (December)News breaks: Centre's failure to comprehensively define Aravalis leaves vast stretches vulnerable to mining, sparking widespread environmental concern.
More Information
Background
Latest Developments
The recent news highlights the Centre's failure to comprehensively define the Aravali range, despite Supreme Court warnings. A new sub-committee's definition, focusing on 'balancing' ecological concerns with the 2019 National Mineral Policy, controversially protects only hills higher than 100 meters.
This leaves a significant portion of the range vulnerable to mining, particularly for critical minerals. The Environment Minister has stated that no new mining licenses will be issued until a Sustainable Mining Management Plan, as per an apex court order, is prepared.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Aravali Range: 1. It is one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world. 2. It primarily extends across the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi. 3. Guru Shikhar, located in the Mount Abu region, is its highest peak. 4. The recent definition by the Environment Ministry protects only those hills above 100 meters in height. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A.1, 2 and 3 only
- B.2, 3 and 4 only
- C.1, 2, 3 and 4
- D.1 and 4 only
Show Answer
Answer: C
Statement 1 is correct: The Aravalis are indeed one of the oldest fold mountain ranges. Statement 2 is correct: The range extends across Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi. Statement 3 is correct: Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu is the highest peak of the Aravali Range. Statement 4 is correct: As per the news, the new sub-committee's definition protects only hills higher than 100 meters, leaving much of the range vulnerable.
2. In the context of the recent developments concerning the Aravali Range and mineral policy, consider the following statements: 1. The 2019 National Mineral Policy explicitly prioritizes environmental protection over the extraction of critical minerals. 2. The Environment Ministry's sub-committee abandoned the attempt to define the entire Aravali range, opting for a 'balanced' definition. 3. A 'Sustainable Mining Management Plan' is mandated by the Environment Ministry to be prepared before new mining licenses are awarded. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect: The news states that the sub-committee's definition aimed to 'balance' ecological concerns with the 2019 National Mineral Policy, which 'encourages critical mineral mining'. This implies the policy does not explicitly prioritize environmental protection over extraction, but rather seeks a balance, often leaning towards extraction. Statement 2 is correct: The news explicitly mentions that the sub-committee 'abandoned the attempt to define the entire range' and focused on a 'balanced' definition. Statement 3 is incorrect: The news states that the Sustainable Mining Management Plan is to be prepared 'in line with a November 20 apex court order', not solely mandated by the Environment Ministry. The Ministry is implementing the court's directive.
3. Which of the following is NOT a typical ecological significance of a mountain range like the Aravalis?
- A.Acting as a natural barrier against desertification from the Thar Desert.
- B.Serving as a crucial watershed and groundwater recharge zone.
- C.Hosting unique biodiversity, including endemic flora and fauna.
- D.Being a major source of perennial rivers for the Gangetic plains.
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statements A, B, and C correctly describe the ecological significance of the Aravalis. The Aravalis indeed act as a barrier against the eastward spread of the Thar Desert, are vital for groundwater recharge, and host significant biodiversity. However, statement D is incorrect. While the Aravalis are a watershed for some rivers (like Banas, Luni, Sabarmati), they are not a major source of perennial rivers for the Gangetic plains. The major perennial rivers of the Gangetic plains originate from the Himalayas.
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