Redefining the Aravallis: Balancing Development and Conservation

General Studies-3; Topic: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment

Introduction

The Aravalli Range, one of the world’s oldest fold mountain systems, is currently at the center of a major environmental and legal controversy. The Supreme Court’s recent acceptance of a new definition of the “Aravalli Range”—based strictly on an elevation threshold of 100 meters—has sparked widespread protests across Rajasthan and Haryana.

About Redefining the Aravallis

The Supreme Court’s 100-meter elevation threshold for the Aravallis excludes 90% of the hills from protection, threatening biodiversity and water security while opening vast tracts to mining and real estate development.

Historical and Geographical Context

The Aravallis are a relic of the Proterozoic era, stretching approximately 692 km across four states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. - Age: They are older than the Himalayas, formed during the Aravalli-Delhi Orogeny. - Topography: Aravallis are highly weathered and eroded, appearing as a series of discontinuous ridges and low-lying hills. - The “Green Wall”: They act as a natural barrier preventing the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert toward the fertile plains of the Indo-Gangetic region.

The New Definition: The Bone of Contention

The controversy stems from a recommendation by a panel under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), which defines the Aravalli hills based on elevation rather than slope or geological continuity. - The 100-Metre Rule: Under this new criteria, only landforms with an elevation of 100 metres or more from the local ground level are considered part of the “Aravalli Range.” - The Scale of Exclusion: Out of 12,081 hills, only about 1,050 (roughly 8.7%) would qualify for protection. In Rajasthan, nearly 90% of the hills rise only between 30 and 80 metres. By redefining the range, a vast majority of these hills are now legally “non-hills,” making them vulnerable to industrial exploitation.

Ecological Significance: Why the Aravallis Matter

The Aravallis are not just “rocks”; they are a functional ecosystem that supports the National Capital Region (NCR) and surrounding states. - Groundwater Recharge: The fractured rocks of the Aravallis act as a giant aquifer. They facilitate the recharge of groundwater, which is critical for water-stressed cities like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Delhi. - Biodiversity Hotspot: They host diverse flora and fauna, including leopards, striped hyenas, and several migratory bird species. They serve as a vital wildlife corridor between Sariska Tiger Reserve and the Delhi Ridge. - Climate Regulator: They act as a “Green Lung,” sequestering carbon and moderating the local micro-climate. They also break the intensity of dust storms coming from the West. - Resistance to Desertification: By blocking wind-blown sands, they prevent the “desertification” of Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh.

Legal and Administrative Dimension

Historically, the Forest Survey of India (FSI) used “slope” as a primary yardstick to identify hills. Protesters argue that the MoEFCC panel ignored FSI’s expertise. There are allegations that the full ecological impact was not presented to the Supreme Court, leading to a definition that favors ease of business over environmental conservation.

Economic Dimension: The Mining and Real Estate Push

The Aravallis are rich in minerals like silica sand, quartz, and limestone. - Mining Interests: Redefining the hills opens up the “excluded” 90% area for legal mining leases. - Real Estate Expansion: In the NCR (especially Haryana), the Aravallis are prime real estate. Removing the “hill” status allows for the construction of farmhouses, resorts, and residential complexes.

Consequences of Degradation

The “denudation” of the Aravallis is not a future threat; it is happening now. - Drying Wells: As the hills vanish, the natural recharge zones disappear, leading to a drastic fall in the water table. - Increased Pollution: Without the natural barrier and green cover, the NCR will face higher levels of suspended particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). - Human-Wildlife Conflict: As habitats are fragmented for mining, wildlife (especially leopards) frequently stray into human settlements. - Flash Floods: The hills naturally channelize rainwater. Without them, urban areas in Haryana and Rajasthan face an increased risk of flash floods during monsoons.

Way Forward

- Integrated Landscape Approach: The government should move away from arbitrary elevation thresholds and adopt a “landscape approach” that protects the geological and ecological continuity of the range. - Review of the Definition: The Supreme Court may need to revisit the definition based on an independent audit by the Forest Survey of India and ecological experts. - Strict Enforcement against Illegal Mining: Using satellite imagery and drone monitoring to stop the “disappearing hills” phenomenon. - Greening the Range: Implementing the “Aravalli Green Wall Project” (an initiative to create a 5km buffer zone around the range) in its true spirit.

Conclusion

The Aravallis are a heritage of the Earth. Defining a mountain solely by its height, while ignoring its ecological function, is a reductionist approach that could lead to irreversible environmental damage. As public protests grow, the government must balance “Ease of Doing Business” with the fundamental right to a clean environment and water security for millions of citizens.