‘Bizarre’, says Jairam Ramesh as Centre backs new Aravalli definition

The Congress on Thursday criticised the Modi government after reports that the Environment Ministry has recommended a new definition of the Aravalli Hills, warning that the move could trigger “very grave environmental and public health consequences” and must be reviewed immediately.

Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said the reworked definition was being projected as a measure to regulate mining but would, in effect, exclude most of the range from protection. He claimed that it would result in “90% of the Aravalli Hills” no longer being counted as Aravalli.

“The Aravalli Hills extend from Delhi through Haryana and Rajasthan to Gujarat. Over the years, they have been devastated by mining, construction, and other activities in violation of all regulations and laws,” the former environment minister said on X, adding that the fragile landscape now faced “another severe blow”.

Quoting a media report, he said, “According to an informed news report, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has recommended to the Supreme Court a new definition of the Aravalli Hills. This definition is meant to restrict mining but in reality will mean that 90% of the Aravalli Hills will not be counted as Aravalli any more.”

He added that the Supreme Court had accepted this revised definition.

“This is bizarre and will have very grave environmental and public health consequences. It calls for an immediate review. The road to hell is indeed paved with good intentions,” he said.

Ramesh also posted a screenshot of the media report stating that on November 20, the Supreme Court accepted the recommendations of a Union Environment Ministry panel on defining the Aravalli Hills, with the stated aim of restricting mining.

According to the report, the panel proposed that any landform 100 metres or more above the local relief, along with its slopes and adjacent land, be treated as part of the Aravalli Hills. However, it noted that such criteria would leave “more than 90%” of the range outside the definition, potentially opening vast tracts to mining and construction, with severe environmental implications, including worsening air quality across the National Capital Region.