Context:
- The Supreme Court of India has reiterated the need for a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges and reinforced measures to protect them from mining, construction, and ecological degradation across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
- The Aravallis play a crucial role in preventing desertification of the Indo-Gangetic plains.
Key Highlights:
Environmental Significance of the Aravallis
- One of the oldest mountain ranges in the world (over 1.5 billion years old).
- Acts as a climate barrier, checking the eastward spread of the Thar Desert.
- Supports biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and local microclimates.
Threats and Degradation
- Illegal and unregulated mining, especially stone, marble, and sand.
- Urban expansion in Delhi-NCR, infrastructure projects, and deforestation.
- Inconsistent definitions used by States enabling regulatory loopholes.
Judicial and Institutional Interventions
- Supreme Court directions for a uniform definition of Aravalli hills.
- Central Empowered Committee (CEC) recommendations (2022):
- Scientific mapping of the entire Aravalli range.
- Prohibition of mining in ecologically sensitive zones.
- Protection of forest corridors, water bodies, recharge zones.
- Final SC ruling (2025):
- Mining allowed only in non-core areas, subject to strict regulation.
Government Action Plan
- Centre launched an Aravalli Green Wall Project (2025).
- Objective: Restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
- States tasked with afforestation, monitoring, and ecological restoration.
Why Uniform Definition Matters
- Earlier reliance on varying State definitions diluted protections.
- Uniform criteria ensures consistent enforcement under environmental laws.
Significance / Concerns
- Balancing development needs with ecological security.
- Enforcement remains weak despite judicial clarity.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS I: Physical geography, desertification
- GS II: Judiciary, governance
- GS III: Environment, climate resilience
- GS IV: Intergenerational equity, environmental ethics