Introduction
The Aravalli range, among the world’s oldest mountain systems, functions as a critical ecological barrier preventing desertification of the Indo-Gangetic plains. Stretching over 650 km from Gujarat to Delhi, the range plays a central role in climate moderation, groundwater recharge, and biodiversity conservation. However, decades of inconsistent definitions, regulatory violations, and mining pressures have degraded large tracts, necessitating renewed judicial intervention.
Why in the News
The Supreme Court, in a recent order, settled on a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges, paused the grant of fresh mining leases, and directed preparation of a Sustainable Mining Management Plan (SMMP). This marks a decisive shift from fragmented state-level interpretations that previously enabled unregulated mining. The intervention is significant as it directly addresses regulatory dilution, illegal extraction, and ecological degradation across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Ecological and Strategic Significance of the Aravalli Range
- Ecological Barrier: Prevents eastward expansion of the Thar Desert into Haryana, Rajasthan, and western Uttar Pradesh.
- Climate Regulation: Supports regional climate stability and moderates extreme temperatures.
- Groundwater Recharge: Functions as a major recharge system for aquifers supplying urban and rural settlements.
- River Systems Support: Acts as a source region for rivers such as Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni.
- Biodiversity Reservoir: Hosts diverse flora and fauna across forested and semi-arid ecosystems.
- Mineral Endowment: Contains limestone, marble, granite, zinc, copper, gold, and tungsten-driving extraction pressures.
Historical Mining Pressure and Regulatory Failure
- Mining Legacy: Stone and sand mining persisted for decades due to mineral richness.
- Environmental Degradation: Caused air pollution, groundwater depletion, and ecosystem fragmentation.
- Legal Non-Compliance: Mining frequently operated without valid environmental clearances.
- International Commitments: Violates India’s obligations under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
- Judicial Trigger: Supreme Court intervention followed systemic regulatory failure at state levels.
Early Executive and Judicial Interventions
- MoEF Restrictions (1990s): Issued mining restrictions across the Aravallis.
- Persistent Violations: State-level enforcement failures undermined restrictions.
- Supreme Court Ban (2009): Imposed a blanket ban on mining in Faridabad, Gurgaon, and Mewat.
- Fresh Mining Leases: Prohibited new leases and renewals pending comprehensive assessment.
- CEC Mandate: Central Empowered Committee tasked with examining mining impacts.
Central Empowered Committee Findings and Recommendations
- Landscape-Level Assessment: Recommended macro-level environmental impact assessment.
- Mining Prohibition Zones: Advised bans in ecologically sensitive areas.
- Water Protection: Highlighted risks to recharge zones and water bodies.
- Strict Regulation: Suggested prohibition of mining until proper mapping and impact studies.
- Implementation Timeline: Recommendations placed before the Court after delayed compliance.
Need for a Uniform Definition of the Aravallis
- State Inconsistencies: Different criteria used by states to identify Aravalli land.
- FSI Criteria (2010):
- Slope ≥ 3°
- Hill Height ≥ 100 m
- Valley Width ≥ 500 m
- Enclosed Area Criteria
- Regulatory Loopholes: Narrow definitions enabled mining below 100 m height.
- Scientific Objections: CEC flagged exclusion of slopes and foothills as ecologically flawed.
- Judicial Resolution: Supreme Court approved a nationally consistent definition.
Supreme Court Directions on Mining Governance
- Sustainable Mining Management Plan: Directed preparation of SMMP for Aravalli-NCR.
- Absolute Prohibition: Banned mining in highly sensitive zones.
- Conditional Permissions: Allowed limited mining under strict regulatory oversight.
- Carrying Capacity Assessment: Mandated ecological thresholds before approvals.
- Restoration Measures: Required rehabilitation and restoration planning.
Green Wall Project and Landscape Restoration
- Project Launch (June 2025): Centre initiated the Aravalli “Green Wall”.
- Geographic Scope: 5-km buffer across 29 districts in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi.
- Restoration Target: 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
- Climate Co-Benefits: Enhances carbon sequestration and desertification control.
- Policy Integration: Aligns with land degradation neutrality goals.
Why Mining Has Not Been Completely Banned
- Past Experience: Total bans encouraged illegal syndicates and violent extraction.
- Regulatory Vacuum: Blanket prohibitions weakened oversight mechanisms.
- Calibrated Approach:
- Existing legal mines regulated stringently.
- Ecologically sensitive zones declared no-go areas.
- Governance Focus: Emphasis on enforceable regulation rather than prohibition.
Conclusion:
Protecting the Aravalli range is essential not only for conserving an ancient geomorphic system but also for safeguarding north India from accelerating desertification, groundwater decline, and ecological instability. The Supreme Court’s insistence on a uniform definition, regulated mining, and landscape restoration marks a shift from fragmented governance to science-based environmental stewardship.
PYQ Relevance
[UPSC 2020] The process of desertification does not have climatic boundaries. Justify with examples.
Linkage: The question examines the role of physiographic features and human interventions in driving desertification beyond climatic boundaries under GS-1. The Aravalli range functions as a natural barrier against desert spread, and its degradation demonstrates how desertification can advance into non-arid regions.
