Aravalli Hills Definition Debate: Environmental Protection vs. Development Priorities

Indian Express - Opinion · 2 Apr 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Environment Mains · GS3 Environment and biodiversity High relevance

The Supreme Court has stayed its November 2025 judgment on defining the Aravalli range based on 100m elevation criteria, forming a new expert committee to re-examine the issue amid environmental concerns over potential exclusion of critical forest areas.

Key points

Supreme Court intervention: The SC stayed its November 2025 judgment and directed formation of a new expert committee to examine the definition of Aravalli Hills, following protests against the 100m elevation criteria.

Historical mapping: The Forest Survey of India (FSI) first mapped the Aravalli in 2011 using 1:50,000 Survey of India topographic sheets, proposing a boundary based on 3-degree slope criteria pursuant to SC orders.

Discrepancy in district inclusion: FSI's 2025 report identified 62 districts as part of the Aravalli, while the Environment Secretary's committee listed only 37, excluding culturally significant areas like Sawai Madhopur and Chittaurgarh.

Environmental stakes: Rajasthan has only 8% forest cover (ISFR 2023), mostly in the Aravalli region, making accurate demarcation crucial for ecological preservation and groundwater recharge.

Technical challenges: The debate centers on whether to use 100m elevation or 3-degree slope criteria, with the latter being time-tested but requiring verification of original Survey of India datasets.

Institutional conflict: Multiple agencies (FSI, Environment Ministry, Culture Ministry) have differing classifications, highlighting governance coordination challenges in environmental policy implementation.

[GS3-Environment] The Aravalli's role in preventing desertification connects to climate change mitigation strategies under India's NDC commitments, particularly in combating land degradation.

[GS2-Governance] This case demonstrates judicial oversight of executive decisions in environmental matters, testing the balance between federalism and national conservation priorities.

Way Forward: The new committee should adopt a multi-criteria approach combining slope, elevation, and ecological significance; establish transparent data-sharing protocols between FSI and state agencies; and integrate UNESCO heritage site designations into conservation planning.

Key terms

Central Empowered Committee (CEC)

A Supreme Court-constituted body under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 to monitor forest and wildlife cases. Plays quasi-judicial role in enforcing forest conservation laws, particularly in cases involving the Forest Conservation Act 1980 and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).

3-degree slope criteria

A topographic measurement method to identify hill features, where land rising at ≥3° from horizontal is classified as hill. Adopted by FSI for Aravalli demarcation as it better captures ecological continuity than absolute elevation, relevant for enforcing mining bans under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957.

Forest Survey of India (FSI)

An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change responsible for forest resource assessment. Established in 1981, it conducts biennial State of Forest Reports (ISFR) and provides technical support for forest conservation policies, playing a crucial role in implementing the National Forest Policy and monitoring Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

Aravalli Range

India's oldest fold mountain system running 800km through Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi. Ecologically vital as it prevents Thar Desert expansion, recharges groundwater for 40 million people, and hosts biodiversity hotspots. Protected under the Environment Protection Act 1986 and critical for implementing National Green Tribunal orders on mining restrictions.