The Aravalli hills range surpassing 670 kilometers originating from Delhi and traversing through Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat is one of the oldest ranges in India. Even though the range protects the lands it is at risk due to mining activity in the area.
What Is the Ruling Made by the Court?
In November 2025, the Supreme Court issued a ruling by which they accepted a definition of mountain which presumes that only landforms that rise at least 100 meters above the locale can be considered as mountains. Activists and experts said that 90% of the Aravalli hills would thereby lose their status of protection, while the country’s minister affirmed that mining activity is still limited.
What is the Importance of Delhi NCR?
Gaps in the range might give the Thar desert an opportunity to approach Haryana, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi NCR. Mining and crushing cause environmental issues in the area, like groundwater pollution and crop destruction. In the conditions of high temperatures, these issues become even more serious.
What is the Current Situation?
The Court issued a suspension of its own ruling in December 2025, paving the way for a new ban on mine activities introduced by the government.A five-member expert panel was asked to report by 31 August 2026 and licensed mining remains on hold in the interim.
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