Save the Aravalli: Protect Our Ancient Ecological Shield

What’s Happening?

A recent Supreme Court judgement has accepted a new definition of the Aravalli hills, counting only those landforms that rise 100 metres or more above the surrounding terrain. This may sound technical, but its impact is massive: over 90% of the Aravalli range is below this height, which means most of it could lose its existing environmental protections.

Why This Matters

The Aravalli is one of India’s oldest mountain ranges and a lifeline for Delhi–NCR and surrounding regions. Even its lower ridges and slopes play a crucial ecological role:

• They recharge groundwater and prevent desertification.
• They act as natural air filters and temperature stabilisers for NCR.
• They support wildlife corridors and biodiversity.
• They protect villages and farmland from dust storms and land degradation.

If these areas lose protection, widespread mining and construction could be legally permitted, causing irreversible damage to the environment and the lives of millions.

Why You Should Sign

• To demand an ecologically accurate definition of the Aravalli that protects all critical ridges, not just the tallest peaks.
• To prevent legal loopholes that could open fragile landscapes to mining and commercial exploitation.
• To safeguard Delhi–NCR’s air, water, groundwater, and long-term environmental health.

Your signature can push policymakers to rethink this decision and ensure that the Aravalli continues to protect our region for generations to come.