The Indian government has assured that the ecology of the Aravalli range is not under imminent threat. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change stated that ongoing afforestation efforts, eco-sensitive zone notifications, and strict monitoring of mining and urban activities are in place to protect the Aravallis. Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav addressed a press conference, urging citizens to stop spreading misinformation about the Aravallis. He clarified that the Supreme Court’s ruling, which states that hills lower than 100 meters will no longer be recognized as part of the Aravalli range, is being misinterpreted.
The Minister provided data to support the government’s claim, stating that the total area of the Aravallis is approximately 1.47 lakh square kilometers, and mining is only allowed in 0.19% of the range. He emphasized that 90% of the Aravalli area falls under protected zones, and there are no relaxations in this regard. The Aravalli range spans across four states, including Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Specifically, the Minister assured that no mining is allowed in Delhi’s Aravalli Hills.
The Supreme Court recently accepted the Ministry of Environment’s recommendations on the definition of the Aravalli Hill Ranges, which excluded hills lower than 100 meters from being recognized as part of the ancient hills. The government’s stance is that the Aravallis continue to serve as a natural heritage and ecological shield for the nation, and ongoing conservation efforts ensure their protection. The Minister’s statement aims to alleviate concerns and misinformation surrounding the Aravallis, emphasizing the government’s commitment to preserving the range’s ecology. Overall, the government claims that the Aravallis are not under imminent threat, and conservation efforts are in place to protect the range.