The Aravallis at a Crossroads |
The Aravalli range is among the oldest geological formations on Earth, more than 1.5 billion-year-old. Stretching across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and the National Capital Region, these ancient hills have never been dramatic in height or appearance, yet their quiet presence has shaped the ecology, climate and human life of north-western India for millennia. Aravallis are not merely hills, they are an ecological system that moderates climate, stores water, anchors soil and supports biodiversity in one of the most fragile landscapes of the subcontinent. Over time, natural erosion has reduced their height, transforming what were once tall mountains into low ridges, hillocks and undulating plateaus. Unlike younger mountain ranges, the strength of these hills lies not in towering peaks but in continuity a network of connected landforms that work together to slow desert expansion, regulate groundwater recharge and stabilise regional climate patterns. Historically, these hills protected settlements, guided trade routes and sustained agriculture in regions where water scarcity would otherwise have made large-scale habitation difficult.
In recent years, increasing pressure on land and minerals has brought the Aravallis into legal and administrative focus. For decades, the absence of a uniform and scientific definition of what constitutes the Aravalli hills created ambiguity in governance. Different states interpreted the term differently, relying on varying revenue records, outdated maps and inconsistent classifications. This lack of clarity often complicated regulation, enforcement and judicial oversight, particularly in matters related to mining and land use. The Supreme Court’s recent decision to adopt a scientific criterion based on a minimum of 100 metres of elevation above local ground level must be viewed against this........