Protection Measures for the Aravalli Hills

The Aravalli Hills are vital for climate regulation and groundwater security; the Supreme Court’s uniform definition and mining ban will bring over 90% under protection, according to the Environment Minister.

About the Aravalli Range

The Aravalli range is among the world’s oldest living mountain systems and the geological spine of northwest India.
Mountain Type: It is an ancient fold mountain range now eroded into residual hills with average elevations of 300-900 metres.
Geographic Extent: It stretches about 692 km from Champaner in Gujarat, through Rajasthan and Haryana, to Raisina Hill in Delhi.
Highest Peak: Guru Shikhar, at 1,722 metres on Mount Abu in Rajasthan, is the highest point.
Drainage Divide: A hidden Aravalli limb from Delhi to Haridwar separates the drainage basins of the Ganga and Indus rivers.

Significance of the Aravalli Range

Great Green Wall: The Aravalli range prevents eastward expansion of the Thar Desert by blocking dust-laden desert winds.
Monsoon Regulator: It guides southwest monsoon clouds eastward toward the Himalayas, ensuring rainfall across North India.
Winter Shield: In winter, the range protects fertile northern plains from cold westerly winds originating in Central Asia.
Green Lungs: Aravalli forests act as green lungs for Delhi-NCR by absorbing carbon dioxide and trapping PM2.5 pollutants.
Aquifer Recharge: Fractured and weathered Aravalli rocks allow rainwater percolation, enabling recharge of underground aquifers.
Mineral Wealth: The range contains copper, lead, zinc, silver, and high-quality Makrana marble deposits.
River Source: Several rivers originate in the Aravallis, including Luni, Banas, and Sabarmati.

Recent Supreme Court Rulings on the Aravalli Range

New Technical Definitions
- Hill Criteria: An Aravalli hill is any landform rising 100 meters or above its immediate local relief.
- Range Criteria: An Aravalli range is defined as a cluster of two or more such hills within 500 metres.
Mining Restrictions
- Mining Ban: The Court imposed an immediate ban on granting new mining leases.
- MPSM: The Centre must prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining before permitting future mining activity.
Prohibition and Safeguards
- Aquifer Safeguard: Any mine that reaches the groundwater level must be closed immediately.
- Protected Zones: Mining is prohibited in tiger reserves, wildlife corridors, & aquifer recharge zones.

Implications of Aravalli Degradation

Mining Damage: Legal and illegal mining destroys forests and recharge zones, lowering groundwater levels in Haryana and Rajasthan. E.g., Gurugram quarries.
Desert Spread: Loss of vegetation weakens the desert barrier, accelerating land degradation in western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. E.g., encroachment near Jhajjar.
Urban Stress: Construction and encroachments reduce pollutant absorption, worsening air quality and water scarcity in Delhi-NCR. E.g., rising PM2.5 levels.
Climate Risk: Degraded ecosystems increase vulnerability to heatwaves and erratic rainfall, undermining regional climate resilience. E.g., frequent urban floods in Gurugram.
Hydrology Loss: River flows and aquifer recharge are disrupted, affecting water supply for agriculture and domestic use. E.g., Sabarmati and Luni river basins.

Way Forward: Strengthening Protection Measures

Integrated Landscape-Level Planning: Establish an Aravalli-wide conservation authority across state boundaries to replace fragmented governance with ecosystem-based management.
Sustainable Mining and Alternatives: Implement the Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) with strict environmental thresholds while promoting alternative livelihoods for communities.
Restoration and Afforestation: Undertake large-scale native species afforestation and mine-site restoration, prioritising ecological restoration over cosmetic green cover.
Urban Planning Reforms: Declare critical Aravalli zones as Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) and restrict construction and infrastructure projects in forest and groundwater recharge areas.
Community Participation: Involve local communities in forest protection and monitoring, and incentivise conservation through Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) models.
Technology and Monitoring: Deploy remote sensing, GIS and satellite monitoring to detect illegal mining and encroachments.

Protecting the Aravallis is safeguarding North India’s water, climate, and biodiversity; as the Supreme Court noted, “Fragile ecosystems like the Aravallis must be preserved for the public good.”

Reference: The Hindu | PMFIAS: No fresh Mining leases or renewals in Aravallis

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 468

Q. Discuss the role of the Aravalli range in regulating climate and groundwater systems in north-west India. Examine how its degradation undermines desertification control and urban sustainability in the National Capital Region. (250 Words) (15 Marks)

Approach

Introduction: Write a brief introduction about the Arravalli range.
Body: Discuss the role of the Aravalli range in regulating climate and groundwater systems in north-west India, also mention how its degradation undermines desertification control and urban sustainability and the way forward.
Conclusion: Emphasis on the sustainable development of Aravalli range to protect the future of millions.