The Congress on Wednesday asked the Union government why it was “pushing through a fatally flawed” redefinition of the Aravalli hills, despite opposition from key expert bodies and advisers to the Supreme Court.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared on social media a report by The Indian Express stating that the Supreme Court’s acceptance of the government’s new definition of the Aravalli hills contradicts the recommendations of its own Central Empowered Committee.
The report noted that the Forest Survey of India’s definition, which says the Aravallis include areas with a minimum elevation of three degrees, would better protect the ecology of the range.
The 700-km Aravalli mountain range stretches diagonally from southwest Gujarat, through Rajasthan to Delhi and Haryana. Its highest point is Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu, which rises to an elevation of 1,722 metres.
Under the new definition that has been accepted by the Supreme Court, an Aravalli hill is any landform that rises at least 100 metres above the surrounding terrain. An Aravalli range is formed by two or more such hills located within 500 metres of each other, including the land between them.
However, environmentalists have warned that defining the Aravallis solely by their height could leave many lower, scrub-covered but ecologically important hills vulnerable to mining and construction. Experts say these smaller hills are crucial for preventing desertification, recharging groundwater and supporting local livelihoods.
The Centre has denied that the redefinition weakens environmental safeguards, stating that over 90% of the Aravalli region remains protected.
On Wednesday, Ramesh accused the environment ministry of “being economical with the truth” and “misleading the public” by persisting with a redefinition that had been “clearly and compellingly opposed” by expert institutions.
The party had earlier said the Aravallis are a national natural heritage and warned that the new definition could undermine their ecological protection, PTI reported.
Also read: The slow destruction of Delhi’s forgotten spine
You’ve read Scroll.
Now help sustain it
Scroll is funded by readers, not corporate owners. If you believe our work matters, support our newsroom. Become a member today!
We’re not driven by clicks or corporate interests – just honest, independent reporting. Keep us going. Support Scroll today!