New Definition Safeguards Aravalli Landscape

Background of the Supreme Court Decision

New Definition Safeguards Aravalli Landscape: In December 2025, the Supreme Court of India accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills, as recommended by a Central Government–appointed expert committee.
The decision followed long-standing concerns over fragmented protection and unchecked mining across the region.

The Court clarified that conservation must move beyond isolated hill protection.
Instead, the Aravalli must be treated as a continuous geological system, ensuring holistic environmental safeguards.

Static GK fact: The Aravalli Range is among the oldest fold mountain systems on Earth, dating back to the Pre-Cambrian period.

Rationale Behind a Uniform Definition

Earlier, varying definitions across states led to legal ambiguity.
This allowed mining and construction in ecologically sensitive pockets.

The new definition introduces landscape-level conservation, protecting ecological continuity.
According to the Union Environment Minister, over 90% of the Aravalli landscape now comes under protection.

This approach aligns with global conservation practices that prioritize entire ecosystems over fragmented patches.

Committee’s Operational Definitions

The expert committee provided clear operational clarity.

Aravalli Hills are defined as any landform in Aravalli districts having an elevation of 100 metres or more from the local relief.
This eliminates disputes based on administrative boundaries.

Aravalli Range refers to two or more Aravalli hills located within 500 metres of each other.
This ensures that clusters of hills are treated as a single ecological unit.

Static GK Tip: Geological continuity is crucial for groundwater recharge and biodiversity corridors.

Core and Inviolate Zone Safeguards

The committee recommended absolute protection for core ecological zones.
Mining is completely prohibited in protected forests, eco-sensitive zones, tiger reserves, wetlands, and CAMPA plantation areas.

These safeguards strengthen existing environmental laws.
They also prevent indirect ecological damage caused by peripheral mining activities.

Key Directions Issued by the Supreme Court

The Court directed the preparation of a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM).
This plan will be developed by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) for the entire Aravalli range.

Additionally, the Court imposed a freeze on new mining leases.
This freeze will remain until a new MPSM is prepared, modeled on the Saranda Forest mining plan of Jharkhand.

Ecological and Geographical Importance of Aravalli

The Aravalli Range stretches over 800 kilometres, passing through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi.
It plays a critical role in checking desertification and regulating regional climate.

The highest peak is Guru Shikhar, located in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
The range also supports diverse flora and fauna adapted to semi-arid conditions.

Static GK fact: The Aravalli acts as a climatic barrier influencing rainfall patterns in western India.

Ongoing Conservation Initiatives

The Matri Van Initiative aims to create a 750-acre urban forest in the Aravalli hills.
It is implemented under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ programme, promoting community participation.

The Aravalli Green Wall Project focuses on greening a 5-kilometre buffer zone across four states.
Its goal is to combat land degradation and improve carbon sequestration.

Judicial intervention has also played a key role.
In MC Mehta v. Union of India, the Supreme Court imposed long-standing restrictions on mining across the Aravalli region.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

New Definition Safeguards Aravalli Landscape: