1. Background and Context

The Aravalli range is one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world and plays a critical ecological role in north-western India. Over the years, the Aravallis have faced severe degradation due to mining, construction, and urban expansion, particularly in Rajasthan, Haryana, and the NCR region.

The present controversy arises from the Union Environment Ministry’s revised definition of what constitutes the Aravalli hills, which was submitted before the Supreme Court of India. While the government has publicly maintained that there is no relaxation in mining norms, the editorial highlights that the new benchmark has consequences extending far beyond mining, especially in terms of construction, land use change, and environmental governance.

2. Core Issue: Redefinition of Aravalli Hills

A. Earlier Approach to Identifying Aravallis

• The Forest Survey of India (FSI) traditionally identified Aravalli landforms using:
  • A minimum slope of 3 degrees, and
  • Elevation measured from a standardised baseline, usually the lowest elevation of the state or the Aravalli system
• This method ensured:
  • Continuity of the mountain system
  • Inclusion of low-lying hills, ridges, saddles, and extensions
  • Recognition of Aravallis as a geomorphological system, not isolated peaks

B. New Government Definition

Under the revised framework:

• A hill will be considered part of the Aravallis only if:
  • It rises at least 100 metres above the local profile
• Local profile refers to the immediate surrounding terrain, not a uniform reference like sea level or state minimum elevation.

C. Why This Change Is Significant

• Aravallis often exist in:
  • Plains
  • Semi-arid regions
  • Areas with gradual relief, not sharp peaks
• Measuring height from local surroundings rather than a standard baseline:
  • Excludes many genuine Aravalli landforms
  • Breaks the idea of the range as a continuous ecological system

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3. Scale of Exclusion and Its Implications

A. Massive Reduction in Recognised Aravalli Area

• According to the article
  • Using the new 100-metre local relief benchmark would exclude 99.12% of Aravalli hills
  • Out of 11,875 landforms identified by FSI, 11,752 would no longer qualify
• Entire districts previously classified as Aravalli districts are dropped from the revised list

B. Inclusion vs Exclusion Debate

• The Ministry argues:
  • “Not every hill is part of the Aravallis”
  • The purpose is to avoid over-inclusion
• However, the editorial points out:
  • The submission focuses more on excluding areas rather than protecting them
  • This approach risks undermining conservation through technical categorisation

Additional Facts on Aravalli 1. Geographical Spread

• The Aravalli range extends across four states:
  • Gujarat
  • Rajasthan
  • Haryana
  • Delhi
• Rajasthan contains the largest share of the Aravalli system

Mining Statistics Quoted by the Ministry

• The Environment Ministry claimed:
  • Mining affects only 0.19% of the Aravalli area
  • Total Aravalli area cited: ~1.44 lakh sq km
• The editorial counters this by noting:
  • The real issue is not current mining alone
  • But future land-use change enabled by exclusion

Larger Governance Question Raised

The Aravalli case reflects a broader issue in environmental governance:

• Use of technical definitions to redraw ecological boundaries
• Preference for administrative convenience over ecological continuity
• Risk of weakening environmental protection without explicit policy reversal