Aravalli Ranges
Context:
The Supreme Court (SC), in an order last month, settled on a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges, and paused the grant of fresh mining leases inside its areas spanning Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The Court noted that India is bound by international commitments, under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, to protect vulnerable ecosystems such as the Aravalli range
Significance of the Aravalli Range:
The Aravalli Range, nearly 2 billion years old, is India’s oldest fold mountain system, stretching about 650 km from Delhi to Gujarat.
They serve as an important ecological barrier to prevent the desertification of the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP).
They help arrest the eastward spread of the Thar Desert into Haryana, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh, and play a major role in stabilising climate, supporting biodiversity, and recharging groundwater.
The fractured rock system of the Aravallis supports aquifer recharge.
The Aravalli Range is the origin of several important rivers:
Chambal
Sabarmati
Luni
It is richly endowed with sandstone, limestone, marble, granite, and minerals such as lead, zinc, copper, gold, and tungsten.
Aravalli Green Wall Project:
It was launched by the Centre in June 2025
The plan is to expand green cover in the five-km buffer area around the Aravallis
It covers 29 districts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi
This initiative will play a crucial role in restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030
Supreme Court Directions:
The Court settled on a uniform definition to protect the range, as previous rules restricting mining to sanctioned projects were flagrantly violated
Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM):
The Court directed the preparation of a detailed MPSM covering the entire Aravalli range.
It must demarcate areas where mining must be absolutely prohibited and identify zones where limited and highly regulated mining may be permitted
It must map sensitive habitats and wildlife corridors and determine ecological carrying capacity
There is no total ban on mining.
Existing legal mining continues under tight regulation, while new mining is paused until a scientifically driven plan is prepared
The Court noted that total bans often lead to the rise of illegal mining syndicates and unregulated extraction.