###Aravalli’s ‘100-Metre Definition’ by Richard Murphy Termed Incomplete and Obsolete

Udaipur — The controversial 100-metre hill definition proposed by Richard Murphy in 1968, which first came into prominence from Udaipur in 2002, has now been declared incomplete, assumption-based, and unsuitable in the context of the Aravalli range by geologists, geographers, and technical experts from the city.

The observations were presented during a national seminar on Aravalli mountain conservation organised on Sunday under the joint aegis of Prakriti Research Institute, Institute of Town Planners India, Lakshpra Foundation, and INTACH. Welcoming the Environment Ministry’s approach of recognising the entire chain as a single continuous geomorphic entity, the participants expressed confidence that the ongoing controversies and ambiguities would soon be resolved, paving the way for holistic protection of the Aravalli range.

Former Head of the Department of Geology at Sukhadia University Dr. Vinod Agrawal, former Professor of Geography Dr. P.R. Vyas, current Head of Department Prof. Seema Jalan, and Vidya Bhawan Polytechnic Principal Dr. Anil Mehta stated that Murphy’s definition was based on Hammond’s 1954 Landform Classification system. That framework emphasises elevation, geological age, and erosion, and therefore cannot be directly applied to distinctive mountain systems such as the Aravalli and the Himalayas. They asserted that such a limited height-based criterion must not be accepted.

The seminar called for the establishment of an Aravalli Research Institute in Udaipur to scientifically document and study the range’s social, cultural, historical, archaeological, spiritual, ecological, hydrological, geological, and environmental significance.

Prakriti Research Institute President Prof. P.R. Vyas and ITPI Regional Member and former Additional Chief Town Planner Satish Shrimali remarked that it is surprising to rely solely on an outdated height parameter while ignoring slope, landform structure, and geological age in an era enriched with modern tools such as geospatial mapping, remote sensing, and GIS technologies.

Former Senior Town Planner B.S. Kanawat, who attended as chief guest, said that hill-cutting activities for resorts and other constructions are causing significant damage to the Aravalli chain. Referring to the Ahar civilisation, he emphasised that the Aravalli region represents a crucial geo-heritage landscape.

Presiding over the session, former INTACH convenor and former Vice-Chancellor Prof. B.P. Bhatnagar stressed that while minerals are essential, extraction must remain environmentally responsible, supported by scientific plans for ecological restoration of abandoned mines.

During the open discussion, former faculty members of Meera Girls’ College highlighted that society must unite for the comprehensive protection of the Aravalli range. Sociologist Nand Kishore Sharma remarked that although an incomplete definition originated from Udaipur, it is Udaipur itself that will correct it.

Participants including Paritosh Duggar Himmat Seth, Naval Kishore Sharma, Rakesh Dashora, Dr. Kalpana Malawat, Dr. Jyoti Bhatnagar, Dr. Laxman Parmar, Hiralal Vyas, Sharda Joshi, Kanika Sharma, Sonali Dadhich, Kiran Meena, Kamlesh Shrimali, and Arvind Dindor also recommended the withdrawal of the 100-metre criterion.