Villagers Launch Day-Long Fast to Oppose Supreme Court’s Aravalli Verdict
Villagers protest the Supreme Court’s Aravalli ruling with fasting as mining fears fuel the #SaveAravalli movement.
A month after the Supreme Court's November 20, 2025, verdict adopted a new definition limiting "Aravalli Hills" to landforms rising at least 100 metres above local relief, the #SaveAravalli campaign has surged across social media platforms, trending nationwide and mobilising environmentalists, politicians, and citizens. Critics argue the ruling could strip protection from up to 90% of the ancient range, potentially exposing vast areas to mining and construction while exacerbating desertification, groundwater depletion, and air pollution in northern India.
The verdict, delivered in the ongoing T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad forest conservation case, accepted recommendations from a Ministry of Environment committee for a uniform, elevation-based definition across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. It paused new mining leases pending a management plan for sustainable mining but allowed existing operations to continue under regulations. Environmental groups contend that lower-elevation hills and interconnected systems are ecologically vital, serving as barriers against Thar Desert expansion and critical recharge zones for aquifers supplying millions.
The #SaveAravalli hashtag has gained massive traction on X (formerly Twitter), with posts from activists highlighting the range's role as a "green wall" shielding Delhi-NCR from dust storms and heat. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot joined by changing his profile picture, urging reconsideration and warning of threats to regional water security and biodiversity. Youth organisations and influencers amplified calls to protect the 670-million-year-old formation, emphasising the interconnected smaller hills' importance in maintaining ecological continuity.
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As protests and online petitions grow, stakeholders call for revisiting the definition to prioritise holistic environmental impact over height thresholds. The Aravalli range remains crucial for climate moderation, wildlife habitats, and preventing further degradation in a region already facing severe pollution and water crises, with the campaign underscoring urgent collective action to safeguard this natural heritage.
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