Context

The editorial examines why the Aravallis matter in light of concerns arising from the new definition of the Aravalli range notified by the Centre in October 2025 and later accepted by the Supreme Court, which may significantly dilute legal protection for the mountain system.

Why the Aravallis matter: Importance of the Range

0.1 The Aravalli range, over a billion years old, is among the world’s oldest mountain systems, stretching nearly 700 km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi, covering 37 districts.
0.2 Despite being heavily eroded over time, the Aravallis continue to provide crucial ecological and environmental services to northern and north-western India.
0.3 The range acts as a natural barrier against the spread of the Thar Desert, preventing sand incursion into the plains of Delhi, NCR and western Uttar Pradesh.
0.4 The hills play a key role in climate regulation, air quality improvement, and rainfall moderation, benefiting agriculture and drinking water availability in surrounding regions.

Water Recharge and Biodiversity Role

0.5 The fractured and porous rock formations of the Aravallis enable effective groundwater recharge, sustaining aquifers and seasonal rivers in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
0.6 The range functions as a major watershed, separating river systems draining into the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, supporting rivers such as Luni, Sabarmati, Mahi and Chambal.
0.7 The Aravallis host rich biodiversity, including semi-arid forests, grasslands and wildlife habitats, and are home to 22 wildlife sanctuaries, with 16 located in Rajasthan.

Human Pressure and Degradation

0.8 Over the years, the Aravallis have suffered extensive degradation due to deforestation, mining, quarrying, urbanisation and industrial expansion.
0.9 Human activities have created gaps in the mountain chain, accelerating soil erosion and enabling sand movement towards fertile plains.
0.10 Fragmentation of forests has reduced wildlife corridors, threatening species survival and ecological balance.

Concerns with the New Definition

0.11 The revised definition identifies the Aravallis largely based on elevation criteria, excluding nearly 90% of the range from protection against mining and development.
0.12 Critics argue that this narrow definition undermines the ecological significance of the Aravallis and weakens safeguards against unsustainable exploitation.
0.13 Although the Centre has halted new mining leases pending a sustainable mining plan, exemptions for critical minerals raise concerns about future environmental stress.

Way Forward

0.14 The editorial underlines why the Aravallis matter not merely as mineral-bearing hills but as a critical ecological system essential for water security, biodiversity protection and climate resilience.
0.15 Long-term conservation requires balancing economic interests with ecological security through stronger legal safeguards and integrated environmental governance.