Save Aravalli campaign

Context: The Supreme Court has accepted the Centre’s new definition of the Aravalli Hills, limiting protection to landforms rising 100 metres or more above local relief.

• The ruling has triggered a nationwide #SaveAravalli campaign, with experts warning it could expose large parts of the Aravallis to mining and ecological damage.

About Save Aravalli campaign:

What it is?

• A citizen-led, expert-backed environmental campaign opposing the dilution of legal protection for the Aravalli mountain range, one of the world’s oldest geological systems.

• It mobilises public opinion, scientific voices and civil society to demand comprehensive ecological protection beyond narrow elevation-based definitions.

Issues raised:

• Redefinition risk: The 100-metre criterion may exclude low-lying ridges, forested outcrops and catchments that are ecologically integral.

• Mining exposure: Experts warn that up to ~60% of the Aravalli landscape could become vulnerable to mining.

• Hydrology & climate impacts: Loss of ridges threatens groundwater recharge, dust control and heat moderation, especially for Delhi-NCR.

• Biodiversity loss: Fragmentation of wildlife corridors (leopards, birds) and degradation of commons.

• Governance concern: Uniform geomorphological definitions may ignore landscape ecology and cumulative impacts.

Significance:

• Ecological shield: The Aravallis act as the green lungs of North India, blocking Thar Desert dust and stabilising local climate.

• Water security: They recharge aquifers and feed rivers like Chambal, Sabarmati and Luni.

• Climate resilience: Intact ridges reduce heat extremes, drought risk and air pollution.

Relevance in UPSC syllabus

• GS Paper I – Geography

• Physiography of India, ancient mountain systems, desertification processes.

• GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology

• Biodiversity conservation, mining impacts, groundwater recharge, climate adaptation. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and sustainable development debates.

• Biodiversity conservation, mining impacts, groundwater recharge, climate adaptation.

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and sustainable development debates.

• GS Paper IV – Ethics

• Environmental ethics, intergenerational justice, precautionary principle.