The centuries-old mountain range is facing danger, the invisible sentinel of Delhi-NCR is in danger.

December 26, 2025 Ajay K.

The wounded Aravallis: The centuries-old mountain range is facing danger, the invisible sentinel of Delhi-NCR is in danger.

The Aravalli Range, the world’s oldest mountain range, serves as a natural protective wall for the Delhi-NCR region, balancing the air, water, and greenery of Delhi-NCR. It not only prevents the expansion of the Thar Desert but also provides a source of fresh air for millions of people. Amid rampant development and mining, environmentalists have become increasingly concerned and apprehensive about the survival of this ancient mountain range following the Supreme Court’s November 20, 2025, order. However, the central government’s announcement on December 24 to expand the protected area has raised some hope…

Wounded Aravalli: A threat looms over the centuries-old mountain range.

Aravalli mountain range …..

The air in Delhi-NCR is already toxic and suffocating. These days, even breathing in the open air is difficult. If the Aravalli Hills were gone, the sand and dust storms from Rajasthan would make Delhi’s air even more hellish. Environmental experts and doctors say that they act as an environmental shield. Continued mining and hill erosion are weakening this natural barrier.

In fact, in November 2025, the Supreme Court changed the definition of the Aravalli Range, defining only areas over 100 meters high as hills. This ruling means only 1,048 (8.7%) of the 12,081 hills over 20 meters high in 15 districts of Rajasthan will meet this standard, leaving more than 90% of the area outside the protection zone. This could lead to mining in large areas, which is worrying environmentalists.

Experts say this decision is a disregard for the environment. Protests are underway against this decision, as it could further increase pollution in Delhi. To protect the air quality of Delhi-NCR, preserving the Aravalli Range is essential, otherwise future generations will breathe toxic air.

Hope Resurfaces… Amidst the ongoing controversy over the Aravalli Range, the central government has canceled mining leases in the Aravalli region in all states. It also prohibited state governments from issuing new leases. The government clarified that the protected area will be expanded. A senior official stated that the government is fully committed to the long-term conservation of the Aravalli Range.

Now, a hearing is expected on January 7th.
Former Forest Conservator Dr. RP Balwan has filed an interlocutory application in the Supreme Court seeking reconsideration of this order, which is scheduled for January 7th. The Aravalli Virasat Jan Abhiyan has launched a signature campaign for a review petition on the Supreme Court order. In Haryana, the Aravalli ranges are present in Mewat, Faridabad, Palwal, Gurugram, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Charkhi Dadri, and Bhiwani. …

then Delhi-NCR will suffocate.

The Aravalli Hills stretch from Rajasthan to Delhi and act as lungs for Delhi-NCR. According to a study, dust contributes 30-40 percent to Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI). According to a report by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), road dust alone can account for up to 65% of PM10. According to Dr. Ankita Gupta, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital’s UCMS, pollution is increasing respiratory diseases. The toxic air from the destruction of the Aravalli River will damage the lungs, leading to an increase in heart and respiratory diseases. They have called for an Aravalli Green Project to protect the Aravalli River, as the damaged areas contribute 15-20 percent to Delhi’s PM10 pollution and raise temperatures by 1.5-2 degrees.

This is how the Aravalli River was protected by Supreme Court orders.

On November 30, 2002, the Supreme Court banned all mining in the Aravalli region. Prior to this, from 1990 to 1999, Panchayat community land was owned by the Forest Department, and Forest Department guards protected it. In 1999-2000, the land along the Aravalli region was given to the Panchayats. Following complaints of illegal mining, the Supreme Court’s Centralized Empowered Committee investigated the matter, which alleged political patronage. On March 18, 2004, the Supreme Court ruled that the Forest Act 1980 applies to deemed forests near the Aravalli region. Previously, in the Godavarman judgment of December 12, 1996, the Supreme Court clarified the definition of forest area and directed that forest land under any proprietary rights shall not be used for non-forestry purposes without the permission of the Forest Conservation Act 1980.

31 hills have been destroyed in Rajasthan.

Dr. RP Balwan, author of the book “The Aravalli Ecosystem: Mystery of Civilization,” explains that it is being argued that such an order has been in effect in Rajasthan since 2006. According to the 2018 report of the Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee, 31 hills of the Aravalli have been destroyed by mining. The committee had listed 15 districts of Rajasthan as affected. After this decision, the Aravalli hills will be destroyed in Haryana and Delhi. Despite the environmental damage, various mining companies receive approximately Rs 5,000 crore in royalties every year from mining.

If tampered with, villages will be destroyed and the balance will be disrupted.

The Aravalli mountain range provides natural resources, air, water, livelihoods, and cultural traditions to the surrounding population. Nearly 20 villages in Faridabad, including Pali, Dhauj, Mangar, Silakhri, Mewala Maharajpur, Ankhir, Badkhal, Kot, Sirohi, Khori Jamalpur, and Mohabbatabad, depend on this mountain range. The Aravalli mountain range provides fodder, water, and open pastures for livestock. Villagers say that if the Aravalli mountain range is damaged, animal husbandry will be the primary source of damage, jeopardizing the livelihoods of thousands of families. This water, flowing through wild herbs and natural elements, also enhances soil fertility.

The Aravalli Mountain Range is one of the world’s oldest fold mountain ranges, formed primarily during the Proterozoic Era, approximately 2.5 billion years ago. It was formed by the collision of tectonic plates and orogeny (mountain-building) processes. According to the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and other scientific studies, it is part of the Indian Shield, formed by the collision of ancient cratons.

The five thousand year old Parson Temple is located in the Aravalli Hills adjacent to Faridabad,

the place of penance of Sage Parashar .

The Mahant of the temple says that this is the place of penance of Sage Parashar.

It is believed that Maharishi Ved Vyas was also born at this place. No need for fertilizer Some farmers say that the water flowing down from Aravalli during the rainy season is so nutritious that there is no need to apply fertilizer to the crops.