What does Supreme Court ruling mean for mining, water security and wildlife?
The Supreme Court’s new definition of the Aravalli range has sparked political and environmental debates over mining, conservation and water security.
Aravalli Range. (Representative Picture)
India’s oldest mountain range stands at a crossroads. The Supreme Court’s verdict on the definition of Aravalli ranges and the recommendation of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change are likely to bring a paradigm shift in the management and protection of nature and environment. This has not only ruffled many feathers in green institutions and relevant government departments, but has also raised some legal and constitutional issues, as well as creating a political storm. The nefarious designs of land sharks hiding under the guise of development cannot be ignored. It could also reshape policies on how to balance environmental protection and development.
Supreme Court’s Aravalli judgment
The apex court, in its verdict, accepted the recommendation that “Aravalli Hill is any landform having an elevation of 100 meters or more from its local relief in designated Aravalli districts.” It also says, “An Aravalli Range is a combination of two or more hills located within 500 meters of each other.” Reacting to this order, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot claimed that the Union Government’s report redefining the Aravallis will impose stricter conditions for its protection and destroy nearly 90% of the mountain range. He also started a ‘Save Aravalli’ campaign on social media.
Redefinition of Aravalli
However, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav claimed that the new definition would include more than 90 percent of the Aravalli region as a “protected area”. He emphasized that the framework approved by the Supreme Court ensures stronger protection of the mountain system. He also argued that new mining leases would be frozen until a comprehensive management plan was finalized. Yadav further said, “In the total area of 1.44 lakh square kilometers of Aravalli, mining suitability can only happen in 0.19% of the area. The rest of the entire Aravalli is protected and preserved.” He also stated that no new mining leases can be granted in the Aravalli area without preparing a Sustainable Mining Management Plan for the entire land. It will be prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Training.
Aravalli protection
But environmental analysts argue that the importance of the Aravalli Range lies not in its height but in what it does. It works as a natural water storage system as it allows rainwater to seep into rocky structures and recharge aquifers. These aquifers supply water to many cities in Rajasthan, including Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Alwar. Large-scale mining operations and deforestation will stop this process and may also cause groundwater loss and water scarcity. Ecologists also think that mining in the region will damage the delicate ecosystem where nilgais, leopards, hyenas and many bird species live. It will damage large areas of shrubs, grasslands and forests.
aravalli mining
Ecologists, hydrologists and members of civil society also think that setting the limit at 100 meters is an oversimplification. Many areas in the Aravalli Range have aquifers, low ridges and wildlife corridors with elevations of less than 100 metres. The new definition would allow mining in these areas and face destruction, leading to far-reaching ecological consequences. Extraction can change drainage patterns, soil stability, and the water absorption capacity of the soil. It may cause irreversible damage. Mining and mineral extraction can lead to real estate development and urbanization, further contributing to the concrete jungle in adjacent areas.
The Supreme Court’s directive to conduct scientific mapping depends on how comprehensively the mapping addresses concerns about hydrology, biodiversity and geomorphology rather than elevation. Transparency is another important issue, and it is not yet known whether the mapping report will be made public and subjected to scientific review. It is also unclear how development concerns are reconciled with environmental protection and how the government and its institutions are moving forward.
