When will the onslaught on the Aravallis, India’s oldest mountain range and a sentinel of this region of the planet, finally end?
The historic initiative to save the Aravalli mountain range began in the early 1990s with Case No. 509/9, a petition filed in the Supreme Court by Tarun Bharat Sangh against the Government of India. The victory in this case led to Notification No. SO 319(E), dated May 7, 1992, issued in compliance with the Supreme Court’s order. People across the entire Aravalli region—from Sariska to Alwar, Gurgaon, and beyond—stood united.
By the 1980s, approximately 28,000 mines, both legal and illegal, were operating in the Aravalli region. Tarun Bharat Sangh initiated efforts to shut down these mines in 1988. After a long and arduous struggle, the Aravalli region was almost completely freed from mining by 1993. This was not merely a legal battle; it was an effort to save the soul and cultural heritage of the Aravalli—and of India.
The campaign began with stopping mining in Sariska on Vijayadashami in 1990. Then, on October 2, 1993, the Aravalli Chetna Yatra (Aravalli Awareness March), which started from Himmatnagar in Gujarat, carried the anti-mining message to Delhi. On November 22, 1993, this message reached Parliament, and on that day, it felt as if the Aravalli had come alive once again.
After 1993, people continued to file petitions in the High Courts and the Supreme Court of India, successfully halting mining and achieving several significant victories. As a result, conservation efforts for the Aravalli gathered momentum, and initiatives such as “Green Aravalli” were launched in Rajasthan.
In 1994, Aravalli conservation committees were formed in all districts, and district administrations were entrusted with the responsibility of stopping mining. A system of submitting regular reports to the Supreme Court was also established. At the time, it appeared that the Aravalli was secure and that a permanent protection mechanism had been put in place. By 1996, I felt relieved and believed that my resolve had been fulfilled.
However, within ten to fifteen years, the situation changed. Mining organisations and lobbies became active again, accumulating greater power and resources. The nexus between governments and mining industrialists appeared to gain legitimacy, even receiving the Supreme Court’s approval. Efforts to reopen mines intensified. Simultaneously, many young people, such as Khyali Meena, stepped forward to protect the Aravalli. People across the region mobilised for conservation. I felt reassured, unaware that legal and illegal mining would soon resume before my own eyes. Alwar has a unique history: both the conservation and, regrettably, the destruction of the Aravalli began there.
November 20, 2025
A respected Justice of the Supreme Court, just two days before retirement, issued an order that could lead to the complete destruction of the Aravalli range.
The same Ministry of Environment and Forests—now the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC)—along with the Government of Rajasthan, institutions established to protect forests and mountains, has now come forward in a manner that facilitates mining. The government’s environment department, which should act as a guardian of nature, is becoming a contributor to the destruction of mountains. When the fence itself begins to eat the crop, it is not merely a warning but a sign of an impending catastrophe.
What changed in 2025 that allowed the path to the destruction of the Aravalli to be reopened, seemingly in the interest of a few?
Understanding numbers and their implications: A sense of unease and disbelief
When I first read the Supreme Court’s decision, I had not yet seen the government affidavit or the actions of the ministry. Initially, it appeared that the court had defined a 100-metre height to create a uniform legal framework for the Aravalli across four states. Much like setting a baseline in calculations, this may have been perceived as a neutral approach.
However, reading the reports of the Forest Survey of India, the Geological Survey of India, and the Technical Sub-Committee was an eye-opener. It became evident that this definition, under the guise of “sustainable development” for the mining industry, poses a new and serious threat to our oldest natural heritage.
The actual terrain of the Aravalli shows that areas up to 20 metres cover 107,494 square kilometres; 20–40 metres cover 12,081 sq km; 40–60 metres, 5,009 sq km; 60–80 metres, 2,656 sq km; 80–100 metres, 1,594 sq km; and above 100 metres, only 1,048 sq km—just 8.7 percent of the total area. If only land above 100 metres is considered protected, most of the Aravalli range will be left unprotected and open to mining.
Tribal and local communities—whose homes, farms, pastures, and cultural sites largely lie below 100 metres—do not wish to be displaced. Their lives and culture are inseparable from nature. Avoiding the harms of mining is both their way of life and their right. The unique ecology and culture of the Aravalli are globally significant, and the mining industry works directly against them.
Ironically, the court has given recognition to an initiative advanced by the mining lobby from the same region, while the voices of conservationists have been ignored. No government official involved in preparing the report contacted those working to save the Aravalli, despite the fact that many conservationists are based in Jaipur and Alwar. No official contacted me either. Had there been consultation, I could have provided accurate information and widely accepted facts. The 100-metre height definition is a construct of the mining industry alone and is not accepted by geologists, environmentalists, or experts in nature and culture.
Towards justice for the Aravalli
The Government of India and the four states—Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi—must reconsider the definition of the Aravalli range. Failure to do so will result in significant embarrassment for governments. It is not appropriate to leave this definitional dispute solely to the Supreme Court. While the judiciary is the supreme pillar of our democracy, recent decisions increasingly appear to reflect one-sided compromises. The 100-metre compromise does not do justice to the Aravalli and is unacceptable, as the mountain range has not been given due consideration in accordance with India’s natural and cultural ethos.
We humbly request the Hon’ble Supreme Court to reconsider this decision. The Aravallis represent India’s oldest living heritage. We urge the Court to recognise the Aravalli mountain range as a profound symbol of Indian culture and ecological harmony. Only then can a genuine initiative to protect this vital heritage truly begin.
Will the war on the Aravalli ever end? There is hope. People from all walks of life—the media, lawyers, medical professionals, conservationists, affected communities, and others across India—have spontaneously and openly opposed this order. It is reassuring that leaders from different political parties have risen above partisan divides and are engaging in efforts to protect the Aravalli range.
Once again, people across the entire Aravalli region are standing up for its protection—and they are not alone. The “Aravalli Heritage People’s Campaign” is steadily evolving into a broader “Save Aravalli Movement.” Countless communities have joined this spontaneous action, though much more remains to be done.
The entire Aravalli community must initiate organised efforts based on their understanding and capacity. Every individual must make constructive use of social media and other platforms. We stand to save the Aravalli because we are its sons and daughters.
From the perspective of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, this order has implications beyond the Aravalli, affecting other mountain ranges in India and elsewhere. Its implementation will set a far-reaching precedent.
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*Known as the Waterman of India; Magsaysay and Stockholm Awardee.
This article is issued by the Tarun Bharat Sangh Office. https://www.facebook.com/jalpurush/
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