A Landmark Verdict for India’s Ancient Mountains
In a landmark verdict for North India’s ecological security, the Supreme Court has extended a powerful shield to the ancient Aravali mountain range. The apex court on Monday accepted the broader definition of the Aravalis proposed by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). In a decisive follow-up, it imposed a complete ban on the grant of any fresh mining leases in the region.
This judgment is being hailed by environmentalists as a watershed moment in the decades-long battle to save one of the world’s oldest fold mountain systems from the relentless onslaught of illegal mining.
Closing a Critical Loophole: The Definition of Aravali Hills
For years, a critical loophole plagued conservation efforts: the very definition of what constituted the “Aravali Hills.” State governments, particularly in Rajasthan and Haryana, often exploited this ambiguity. They argued that many areas, despite being ecologically part of the range, were not officially notified as ‘forest’ and were therefore open for mining. This legal grey area led to the systematic destruction of vast swathes of the hills, jeopardizing the environmental balance of the entire National Capital Region (NCR).
By officially accepting the Centre’s definition, which is based on a 1992 MoEFCC notification, the Supreme Court has slammed that door shut. The ruling brings a massive 1 lakh hectares, primarily in Haryana and Rajasthan, under its protective ambit. It effectively establishes that the geological features of the land—not just its classification in revenue records—determine whether it is part of the Aravali range.
Why the Aravalis are the “Green Lungs” of the NCR
The Aravalis are not just a chain of hills; they are the literal “green lungs” for the most polluted capital region in the world. Their significance includes:
- A Natural Barrier: The rugged terrain acts as a fortress, preventing the westward expansion of the Thar Desert.
- Water Recharge Zone: It is a critical area for absorbing monsoon rains, replenishing groundwater tables for millions in Delhi, Gurugram, and Faridabad.
- Biodiversity Hotspot: The range provides a crucial habitat for leopards, hyenas, and other wildlife struggling against rapid urbanization.
Decades of rampant mining have already inflicted irreversible damage, flattening hills and poisoning aquifers, which contributes directly to the region’s severe air pollution and water scarcity crises.
The Impact of the Supreme Court‘s Mining Ban
The court’s order to ban the grant of fresh mining leases is a direct strike against the continuation of this ecocide. While the verdict does not immediately cancel existing mining leases, it sends an unequivocal message to state governments and the powerful mining lobby: the era of exploiting legal loopholes to plunder the Aravalis is over.
The judgment now places the onus squarely on state machinery to enforce this ban and ensure no new operations commence. The battle ahead will involve rigorous enforcement and the monumental task of restoring degraded areas. However, with this ruling, the Supreme Court has thrown a lifeline to a dying ecosystem, declaring that the nation’s ecological health cannot be sacrificed for commercial greed.
