INTRODUCTION
The Aravalli hills are among the oldest geological formations in the world, dating back approximately 1.8 billion years. They stretch for 650 km across the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi[1]. Beyond their historical significance, they serve as an ecological barrier between the Thar Desert and the plains. The ranges provide an ecosphere for flora and fauna, making it home to 22 wildlife sanctuaries and 3 tiger parks. The landscape of the ranges supports dry deciduous forest, grasslands, and even wetlands. The mineral deposits in the ranges are immense, containing more than 70 commercially valuable minerals, from zinc to silver. Despite their eminent significance, they have been subjected to prolonged environmental stress due to illegal mining, continued exploitation, urbanisation, and inconsistent regulatory oversight.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND REGULATORY BACKGROUND
The range has been in dispute for the past three decades, during which the government has struggled to balance the development of the area with ecological conservation to protect biodiversity. Earlier, the mining activity in the area was regulated by the Environment Protection Act 1986[2], the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981[3], and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957[4].[5] There was a lack of a uniform definition of the ranges that could be applied in all states to preserve these hills.
The only form of available definition was based on a committee report adopted by Rajasthan, which prohibited mining in landforms rising 100 meters above local relief, including any supporting slopes. This definition has been followed in Rajasthan since 2006.[6] Even in the M C Mehta v Union of India[7] case, the court acknowledged the problems with unregulated mining in the Aravalli’s and wanted a better definition of the mineable area. Due to persistent reports about illegal mining,[8] deforestation, and land degradation, the court constituted a committee under the MoEF&CC[9] to develop a uniform scientific framework regulating mining practices in the area.
SUPREME COURT DEFINITION AND CONTROVERSY
The controversy started when the Supreme Court of India accepted the definition of the minable areas suggested by the committee in November, which only prevented mining in limited areas, as mentioned below, of any elevation above the height of 100 meters from the local relief.
Aravalli Hills – Any landform located in the Aravali districts, having an elevation of 100 metres or more from the local relief, shall be termed as Aravali Hills. For this purpose, the local relief shall be determined with reference to the lowest contour line encircling the landform, as per Para-5.1.1 above. The entire landform lying within the area enclosed by such lowest contour, whether actual or extended notionally, together with the Hill, its supporting slopes and associated landforms, irrespective of their gradient, shall be deemed to constitute part of the Aravalli Hills.[10]
Aravalli Range – An area located within the proximity of 500m from each other, measured from the outermost point on the boundary of the lowest contour line on either side forms Aravali Range. The area between the two Aravali hills is determined by first creating buffers with a width.[11]
These definitions narrow the scope of the Aravalli ranges and remove the protection of almost 90% of the Aravalli hills and ranges. The Supreme Court initially issued other minor regulations with this definition, but the actions of the bench headed by former Chief Justice B R Gavai were not well accepted by the citizens and led to mass protests and social media outrage, as the Aravalli range is already very exploited by illegal deforestation and mining practices in the region[12]. Out of the 129 recognised Aravalli peaks in Rajasthan above 100 meters,[13] 31 have already vanished due to illegal mining. So, relaxing this framework would make it easy for large corporations to obtain mining leases and lead to greater exploitation, resulting in irreversible ecological harm.
JUDICIAL DISSENT AND ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS
In the Vanashakti case,[14] Justice Ujjal Bhuyan gave the dissenting opinion, warning against the interpretation of environmental law through ‘mechanical formulas.’ The use of this narrow definition would lead to more exploitation rather than development. The exploitation of the range brings several harms, such as the range acting as an ecological environmental barrier for the Delhi NCR region, acting as a natural dust and pollution sink, and supporting air quality and recharging groundwater, but if the range no longer exists. These conditions would have a harmful impact not only on the locals of the area but also on the entire north-western plains region.
Secondly, a weakened Aravalli barrier would allow the Thar Desert to move eastwards, causing desertification of the area, increasing sandstorms, and land degradation. The presence of small poles is essential for groundwater replenishment, but if they are no longer protected, the biosphere and the flora and fauna will be destroyed.
WAY FORWARD AND CONSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Instead of limiting the definition, the Supreme Court could adopt a more liberal definition that prioritises environmental conservation and recognises the entire or a majority of the Aravali, rather than just 10%. The government should also work towards scientific mapping of the area to have a comprehensive, deep understanding of the hills, ranges, slopes, valleys, recharge zones, and wildlife corridors.
The government should take urgent steps to curb illegal mining, including strengthening monitoring and surveillance in the area, using drones and satellites, and setting up a special task force to prevent such crimes and catch the perpetrators. The government can develop a sustainable mining mechanism that balances environmental conservation and regional development, such as regulated mining with strict oversight that does not completely alter the landscape.
Rather than reducing the conservation measures, the government should double its efforts on them as they are very important to prevent desertification and maintain air quality, especially when the government has demonstrated regulatory inadequacy. Situations such as Delhi arise in which people’s right to clean air is violated, as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
Due to immense public opposition to these orders, the Supreme Court has reconsidered its decision and taken Suo motu action, creating another bench under Justice Surya Kant to reconsider the matter[15]. The Supreme Court’s intervention in the Aravalli mining controversy marks a great development in Indian environmental law, as it adopted a uniform, scientifically grounded definition and imposed a moratorium on new mining leases[16]. The court strengthened the legal framework for ecological protection.
But the definition alone cannot secure environmental integrity, and there are various other problems, such as illegal mining, enforcement gaps, and ecological pressure, that undermine these mechanisms and accountability. Protecting the Aravalli ranges is not a regulatory exercise but a constitutional obligation to safeguard fundamental rights to a clean environment, to fresh air, to a quality life. For sustainable development, the government should balance economic development with environmental conservation.
Author(s) Name: Anshika Singh (Symbiosis Law School, Pune)
References:
[1] Tanishka Shah, ‘How the Supreme Court’s New Definition of the Aravalli Redraws the Landscape of India’s Oldest Hill Range’ (The Leaflet, 08 December 2025) <https://theleaflet.in/environment/how-the-supreme-courts-new-definition-of-the-aravalli-redraws-the-landscape-of-indias-oldest-hill-range> accessed 17 January 2026.
[2] Environment (Protection) Act 1986 (India)
[3] Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981
[4] Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957 (India)
[5] Ritwick Dutta, ‘Supreme Court’s Aravallis Ruling and Ecological Blindness’ (Frontline22 December 2025) <https://frontline.thehindu.com/environment/aravalli-hills-height-environment-mining-court-case/article70426396.ece> accessed 17 January 2026.
[6] ‘Court Orders Management Plan for Sustainable Mining in Aravali – Supreme Court Observer’ (Supreme Court Observer24 November 2025) <https://www.scobserver.in/supreme-court-observer-law-reports-scolr/court-orders-management-plan-for-sustainable-mining-in-aravali-in-re-issues-relating-to-definition-of-aravali-hills-and-ranges/> accessed 16 January 2026.
[7] M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, (2008) 17 SCC 294
[8] Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement v. Union of India, 2024 SCC OnLine NGT 3003
[9] Arushi, ‘Supreme Court Stays Aravalli Order; Directs Constitution of High-Powered Committee to Clarify Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Its Ecological Impact’ (SCC Times29 December 2025) <https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2025/12/29/sc-stays-aravalli-order-directs-constitution-of-expert-committee/> accessed 16 January 2026.
[10] ‘Factsheet Details’: (Pib.gov.in2017) <https://www.pib.gov.in/FactsheetDetails.aspx?id=150596&NoteId=150596&ModuleId=16®=3&lang=1>.
[11] ibid
[12] ‘Defining a Mountain out of Existence – India Legal’ (India Legal10 January 2026) <https://indialegallive.com/cover-story-articles/il-feature-news/aravallis-height-controversy-supreme-court/> accessed 17 January 2026.
[13] PTI, ‘Centre Rejects Mining Push Charge behind Aravalli Definition’ (The Hindu21 December 2025) <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-rejects-mining-push-charge-behind-aravalli-definition/article70422874.ece> accessed 18 January 2026.
[14] Bose, ‘Vanashakti v. Union of India: Supreme Court Puts an End to Ex-Post Facto Environmental Clearances’ (India Corporate Law, 25 June 2025) <https://corporate.cyrilamarchandblogs.com/2025/06/vanashakti-v-union-of-india-supreme-court-puts-an-end-to-ex-post-facto-environmental-clearances/> accessed 18 January 2026.
[15] Definition of Aravalli Hills & Ranges & Ancillary Issues, In re, 2025 SCC OnLine SC 2997
[16] ‘Protection of Aravalli Hills’ (Drishti IAS2026) <https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/protection-of-aravalli-hills>.accessed 17 January 2026
