Saving the Aravalli Hills Is Saving India’s Future

— Lalit Gargg —

The controversy surrounding the redefinition of the Aravalli mountain range has now taken the shape of a public movement. In this context, the call to “Save the Aravalli” is not merely an emotional appeal; it is a lifeline for India’s environmental future. Stretching from Gujarat to Delhi, the Aravalli range is among the oldest mountain systems on Earth. These hills are not just piles of stone; they are a natural shield essential for water security, forests, biodiversity, climate balance, and human life itself. Today, as mining, urban expansion, and so-called development threaten to fragment this ancient range, the issue is no longer confined to environmental protection alone—it has become a question of human survival. One can only hope that the concern expressed by governments regarding the Aravalli does not remain symbolic, but translates into meaningful and positive action. The unchecked mining, neglect, and greed-driven exploitation of hilly regions demand serious reflection. There is little doubt that governmental indifference has not only encouraged large-scale mining in the Aravalli but has also shattered this natural protective shield meant for both people and the environment.

From a geological perspective, the Aravalli is estimated to be billions of years old—far older than the Himalayas. This explains why its form appears relatively low and eroded. Yet its significance runs far deeper. The Aravalli plays a decisive role in rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and controlling desertification across large parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi. It stands like an invisible wall, preventing the Thar Desert from advancing eastward. In today’s world, environmental crises have become multidimensional—water scarcity, air pollution, loss of biodiversity, climate change, and uncontrolled urbanization. A common solution to many of these challenges lies in the protection of natural structures like the Aravalli. Unfortunately, mining and construction activities have inflicted deep wounds on this ancient range. Indiscriminate extraction of stone, marble, and other minerals has hollowed out the hills and endangered nearby villages, rivers, and forests.

A petition to save the Aravalli has been under judicial consideration since 1985. One positive outcome of this legal struggle is that nearly 90 percent of the Aravalli has been brought under protected status. However, the time has now come to declare the Aravalli completely mining-free. If mining continues, the environmental cost we will pay will far outweigh any short-term economic gains. The Supreme Court has repeatedly expressed serious concern over the conservation of the Aravalli. Its position has been clear: activities that harm ecological balance must be restrained, and the destruction of nature cannot be justified in the name of development. Yet, despite this clarity, repeated attempts have been made at various levels to permit mining through selective interpretations of rules. The use of arbitrary benchmarks—such as defining mountains only above a “100-meter height” and declaring lower formations as mineable—sets a dangerous precedent. This logic is not only scientifically flawed but also contrary to ecological understanding. Mining has already riddled the Aravalli with irreversible damage.

Mountains are not defined merely by height; they are identified by their geological structure, water-retention capacity, and ecological significance. Hills below 100 meters are just as vital as higher ranges. Accepting such narrow criteria would allow the entire Aravalli to be systematically broken into fragments and erased. This approach prioritizes short-term economic benefits over long-term environmental security. Some initiatives taken by the Rajasthan government—such as forest notifications, action against illegal mining, and stricter environmental clearances—deserve appreciation. However, alongside these efforts, policy relaxations that encourage mining and real estate expansion continue to surface. Based on data presented by the central government, it is often argued that controlled mining can coexist with development. Experience, however, shows that the word “controlled” frequently loses meaning in practice. Even though Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has clarified that mining permission is limited to only 277 square kilometers and assured that the new definition will not expand mining but curb illegal activities, public skepticism remains justified.

Placing development and the environment in opposition is an old and costly mistake. True development is that which progresses in harmony with nature. Protecting the Aravalli is not anti-development; it is a prerequisite for sustainable growth. In areas where the Aravalli has been degraded, groundwater levels have fallen, temperatures have risen, and biodiversity has sharply declined. The toxic air and water crisis of the Delhi-NCR region cannot be understood without acknowledging the degradation of the Aravalli. Wildlife in the region is on the verge of disappearance. Alternatives to mining must be seriously explored. Mining largely serves the demand for stone, as building stone houses has been a tradition for centuries. This tradition now requires rethinking. Alternative construction materials must be promoted—materials that allow us to build homes without destroying mountains. Houses may be built again and again, but once a mountain is cut down, it can never be restored. Where will we find new mountains to replace those that act as guardians of our environment?

The Supreme Court has also expressed concern over encroachments in forest areas in Uttarakhand, along with its observations on the Aravalli. Yet courts alone cannot shoulder this responsibility. Governments must adopt a firm stance and place the protection of the environment, mountains, forests, and wildlife at the highest priority. Globally, many countries have preserved their ancient mountain ranges and natural structures as national heritage. The Alps in Europe, the Rocky Mountains in the United States, and the Yellow River basin in China stand as examples. In these regions, mining and construction are subject to strict controls, because there is a collective understanding that economic prosperity built at the cost of nature is never sustainable. India must embrace this perspective as well.

The Aravalli is not merely a source of water; it is a refuge for biodiversity. Its flora and fauna play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Deforestation and mining destroy wildlife habitats, intensifying human–wildlife conflict. This is not only an environmental issue but a social one as well. Across the country, movements to protect the Aravalli are gaining momentum. They signal that society is no longer willing to remain silent. What is needed now is constructive dialogue among citizens, environmentalists, the judiciary, and policymakers. The time has come to move beyond emotional slogans and take decisive policy action—complete prohibition of mining, large-scale afforestation, water conservation initiatives, and active participation of local communities.

If we sow the seeds of love and commitment toward nature today, we will reap the rewards of clean air, sufficient water, and a secure future tomorrow. “If the Aravalli survives, India will thrive” is not merely a poetic line; it is a scientific truth. Protecting Mother Earth is not only our right but our duty. If greed is given priority today, future generations will never forgive us. Ultimately, the question of the Aravalli is not just about a mountain range—it is about a mindset that separates development from destruction. History remembers those societies that progressed by maintaining harmony with nature. Let us write such a history ourselves—one where every voice becomes a collective force, and where saving the Aravalli ensures a fuller, more secure life for all.