Aravalli Mining Row: Government Assurances vs Ground Reality

A recent video investigation has reignited concerns over mining activities in the ecologically fragile Aravalli hills, exposing a sharp conflict between the government’s official assurances and what appears to be happening on the ground.

The Core Issue: Redefining the Aravallis

At the heart of the controversy lies a Supreme Court–linked regulatory interpretation that redefines what legally qualifies as “Aravalli hills.” According to the new technical criteria, only land with an elevation of 100 metres or more is considered a hill. Environmentalists warn that this narrow definition could exclude large portions of the Aravalli range from protection, effectively opening them up for mining.

The Aravalli range is not just a geological formation—it serves as a vital eco-sensitive barrier that prevents desertification and protects the National Capital Region (NCR), including Delhi, from the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert. Any dilution of its protection carries far-reaching environmental consequences.

Government’s Stand

Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav has rejected criticism, calling it a “targeted misinformation campaign.” He has maintained that mining permissions apply to only 0.19% of the total forested area in the Aravallis, portraying the impact as negligible and well within environmental safeguards.

According to the government, existing forest protections remain intact and allegations of large-scale ecological damage are politically motivated.

Ground Reality: A Different Picture

However, an on-ground report from Alwar district in Rajasthan tells a more troubling story. Visual evidence shows extensive mining activity, with entire hillsides being carved out and landscapes visibly “hollowed.” These images raise serious questions about whether the government’s 0.19% figure accurately represents the real extent of mining operations.

For activists and local observers, the discrepancy between official data and physical evidence suggests weak enforcement and selective interpretation of environmental norms.

Legal and Technical Loopholes

The elevation-based definition of hills has become a major point of contention. Environmental groups argue that the Aravallis are an ancient, eroded mountain system, where many ecologically critical areas fall below the 100-metre threshold. Excluding these regions from protection could legalise mining in zones previously treated as part of a continuous hill ecosystem.

Critics warn that such technical classifications risk undermining decades of conservation jurisprudence related to the Aravallis.

What’s at Stake

The dilution of protections threatens to weaken one of northern India’s most important ecological shields. Beyond biodiversity loss, unchecked mining could accelerate desertification, groundwater depletion, and heat stress in an already climate-vulnerable region.

Unsurprisingly, the issue has escalated into a political flashpoint. Opposition parties accuse the Modi government of prioritising industrial and mining interests over environmental security, while the government insists it is balancing development with conservation.

Conclusion

The Aravalli mining controversy highlights a familiar but critical question: Can technical redefinitions quietly dismantle environmental safeguards? As visual evidence clashes with official claims, the debate underscores the urgent need for transparent data, strict enforcement, and a broader ecological understanding of what truly constitutes the Aravalli hills.

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