The Congress on Friday sharply criticised the Union government after the Supreme Court accepted a revised definition of the Aravalli Hills, a move the party claims could strip environmental protection from vast sections of one of India’s oldest mountain ranges. Calling the decision “bizarre” and “dangerous”, the Opposition warned that the change may open the door for renewed mining and large-scale ecological damage across the National Capital Region and adjoining states.
Congress calls definition a threat to Aravalli survival
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh led the attack, stating that the government’s move—presented as a measure to curb illegal mining—would in fact do the opposite. He argued that the new definition eliminates protections for almost 90% of historically recognised Aravalli hills, which are critical for groundwater recharge, biodiversity, and air quality in the region.
Ramesh said the decision reflects “good intentions gone wrong” and warned that the consequences could be irreversible for fragile ecosystems. He urged the Centre to reconsider the definition and adopt a science-based approach that preserves the entire range, not just isolated peaks.
What the new definition says
Under the revised criteria, only landforms that rise at least 100 metres above the surrounding terrain—and their corresponding slopes and adjoining features—qualify as part of the Aravalli range. Earlier protections applied to hills as low as 20 metres.
Experts say this narrow interpretation excludes thousands of ridges, spurs and low-lying hill formations that form critical ecological corridors across Haryana, Rajasthan and the Delhi region. Many of these areas also act as natural barriers against the expansion of the Thar Desert.
Environmentalists warn of large-scale damage
Environmental groups have expressed deep concern, cautioning that excluding lower hills could lead to fragmentation of wildlife routes and further stress already-depleted groundwater reserves. They argue that the Aravallis serve as a vital green buffer that shields Delhi-NCR from dust storms and helps maintain regional climatic balance.
Conservationists say the new definition may invite more real estate expansion, quarrying and construction activity in zones that were previously classified as protected.
Political sparring intensifies
The Congress accused the Centre of weakening environmental safeguards to favour private interests. The party criticised the government for ignoring warnings from ecological experts and the Forest Survey of India, which had earlier red-flagged attempts to dilute Aravalli protections.
The government, however, maintains that the redefinition will bring clarity to enforcement and help curb illegal mining, though it has not addressed concerns about areas now left unprotected.
What comes next
With questions mounting over the long-term impact of the new criteria, environmentalists and the Opposition are expected to push for a review or supplementary protections. The Aravallis—which stretch across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi—are already among India’s most degraded mountain systems, and the latest move has sparked renewed calls for a comprehensive conservation plan.
Conclusion
The debate around the Aravalli definition has now shifted from technical interpretation to political confrontation. As demands grow for stronger safeguards, the coming weeks will test whether the government is willing to revisit a decision that critics say endangers one of the country’s oldest and most fragile landscapes.