What is Aravalli Range?
The Aravalli Range is a mountain range in north-western India.
- Running approximately 670 km in a south-west direction,
- Starting near Delhi, passing through southern Haryana and Rajasthan, and
- Ending in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
- The highest peak is Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu, Rajasthan at 1,722 m (5,650 ft).
History of Aravalli Range:
- The Aravalli Range is the oldest fold-mountain belt in India.
- Its Older than the Himalayan Mountains.
- The several Indus Valley Civilisation sites in and around the hill range as the area falls under copper-bearing zone of Southwest Haryana and Northeast Rajasthan of Aravalli hill range.
Geographical Location of Aravalli Range on Map
Aravalli passes through four states—starting from Gujarat, then Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi (a union territory or half-state).
How Aravalli Range is important for Weather & Climate change in North India?
- Blocks Thar Desert sand/dust storms reaching Delhi
- Provides green oxygen belt via foothills (Ridge, Gurgaon greenery)
- Regulates monsoons, prevents desertification spread to NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan & Gujarat.
- Hosts biodiversity reducing noise/sound pollution
Supreme Court order on Aravalli Range
The Supreme Court accepted that only hills over 100 meters will be considered Aravalli.
Active Protests Going on to Save Aravalli Range
- When people became aware of the Supreme Court’s new definition, protests started everywhere.
- In Rajasthan, “Aravali Bachao Sangharsh Samiti” was formed. Efforts are ongoing to save Aravalli by Villagers. People went village to village spreading awareness.
- Massive Protest Broke out Against Government’s Aravalli Plans in Udaipur on 23rd Dec 2025
- Environmentalists across the country are relentlessly working to Save Aravalli Range.
- Peaceful protest reached Gurugram outside Haryana Cabinet Minister “Rao Narbir Singh, Central Govt. Minister.
- Digital Trends like #SaveAravalli, #AravalliinDaenger, #AravallihillsunderThreat etc.
- Rajasthan’s opposition started questioning the ruling side. Opposition leaders in the assembly raised it.
Why Public is Protesting to Save Aravalli Range?
- If as per supreme court’s new definition, “only hills over 100m will be considered as Aravalli Range” then 90% of the hills will came out from the heritage protection.
| Height Class | % of Total | Count (est.) | Regions Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| <100m (Less than 100m) | 91% | 107,900+ | Rajasthan (main), Haryana, Delhi |
| ≥100m (More than 100m) | 9% | 10,675 | Protected peaks only |
- As you can see the above table only 9% of the total hills come under Supreme court order that will be considered as Aravalli Range from now on.
- On the Supreme Court order on Aravalli range, people say only about 9% of hills will survive as per definition.
- If that happens, much of our country’s ecology will vanish.
Here are some questions that public wants to answer by the Government.
- How can you define Aravalli only as over 100 meters?
- Will you hand over sub-100m hills to mining mafias?
- will future generations in Rajasthan even see Aravalli?
- If not Aravalli per government, will those areas be cleared for land mafias to sell hills, stones, and build societies?
- What about environment and ecology?
Aravalli Range vs. Delhi Pollution
A new debate has emerged on social media—one side Aravalli, the other Delhi’s pollution.
As you know, Aravalli is a mountain range, an extremely ancient one—even older than the Himalayas. It extends to Delhi, whose green belt is in Aravalli’s foothills—like Manesar and Gurgaon greenery. The One end reaches Raisina Hills in Delhi. So, Delhi’s pollution has been linked to Raisina Hills and Aravalli Hills, claiming Aravalli is responsible for Delhi’s pollution.
These claims are made by Mr. Rajat Sharma (Chief Editor of India Tv), who said that due to geographical location of Delhi, it becomes gas chamber and it’s pollution problem can’t be controlled until the Aravalli hills are there. Delhi is surrounded by mountains from 3 sides:
- North: The Himalayan ranges (Himachal/Uttarakhand) rise north of Delhi.
- South‑west / West: The Aravalli Range runs NE–SW between Delhi and Gujarat
- South / South‑west interior: The Malwa and Central Highlands (Vindhya–Satpura region in MP–Rajasthan)
Delhi’s Uncontrollable Pollution Crisis
Delhi’s pollution is currently uncontrollable. Living conditions are not worth it. People living in Delhi and NCR know well that they are losing 10 years of their normal lifespan due to this. Air quality has deteriorated so much that governments are now giving excuses about air quality standards and refusing to accept them.
The situation is such that the ruling BJP, when in opposition, used to question Aam Aadmi Party, but now they themselves are on the defensive, issuing statements on pollution and AQI.
How Aravalli is Being Blamed for Delhi Pollution?
This narrative surfaced on social media at a time when Supreme Court guidelines and the Environment Ministry’s arguments on Aravalli were out, and soon after, Aravalli started being blamed for Delhi’s pollution, suggesting pollution would end only if Aravalli is removed.
Currently, many questions are being raised to Rajat Sharma ji (editor of India TV) and Bhupendra Yadav ji (Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change in Govt. of India) is questioned because of the theory he recently gave on pollution.
Why you should not blame Aravalli Hills for Delhi Pollution?
- Aravalli Range, older than the Himalayas, existed for millions of years before Delhi’s industrialization.
- Delhi’s Pollution surged only in the last 15-20 years due to human factors like vehicles and stubble burning, not sudden hill formation.
- Aravalli Hills protect Delhi from Thar Desert dust and maintain ecological balance, rather than causing pollution.
- Delhi’s “bowl” effect (Himalayas north, Aravalli southwest, Malwa south) traps emissions during winter inversions, but this affects all cities similarly; low winds and emissions volume amplify it. It Creates FOG not SMOG.
Actual Reasons of Delhi Pollution
Delhi’s AQI stands at 220 (Poor) as of December 25, 2025, improving from Severe (400+) levels earlier in the week due to strong winds.
- Primary culprits include vehicular emissions (30-40% PM2.5),
- Garbage burning & stubble burning in all north Indian States
- Industries causing pollution
- Construction
Key Concerns about Aravalli Range that impact our Future
Removing or redefining Aravalli would drastically change the ecology of these four states.
- worsen air quality by allowing desert winds
- Increase in flood prone area in Delhi NCR and North India.
- groundwater depletion, NCR cities dry up.
- biodiversity loss across 4 states.
- Wildlife corridors destroyed.
- Lost green lungs: 7,777 hectares NCR greenery (Aravalli Biodiversity Park) vanishes.
- Mining Increases and dust too, full sand dune advance by 2050s if 91% low hills mined.
- Reduced rainfall; more heatwaves. Urban temps rise 5°C+
Key Questions and Answers regarding Aravalli Range
Ques: Is the Government of India convinced about its stance on Aravalli or has it given clarifications?
Ans: Government of India remains firmly committed to its 100-meter height definition for Aravalli hills (accepted by Supreme Court Nov 20, 2025), issuing clarifications emphasizing no new mining leases, protection of 99.81% area, and science-based conservation plans.
Ques: Will Aravalli be saved based on the recent clarifications from the central government?
Ans: Central government’s recent clarifications (Dec 21-24, 2025) promise Aravalli protection via mining bans and 90%+ protected zones, but experts doubt long-term salvation due to 100m definition loopholes, poor enforcement history, and ongoing degradation.
Ques: Is govt. taking backfoot on Aravalli now?
Ans: Now central minister is saying that we are measuring hills 100m above the sea level not from the surrounding land, If that happens only 10% of the range will be vanished. So, it seems that government is taking a backfoot on the Aravalli range.
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