The Fight for the Aravalli Hills: A Simple Guide to the Crisis
The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest mountain chains in the world, stretching across India from Gujarat to Delhi. Right now, it's at the centre of a massive legal battle. If the mountains lose, the environmental cost for millions of people will be devastating.
Here's what's happening.
The Problem: When Is a Hill Not a Hill?
The whole argument kicked off over a very odd rule. Recently, someone suggested to the Supreme Court that only land over 100 metres high should be legally protected as part of the Aravallis.
The Danger: If this rule were passed, thousands of smaller hills and slopes would lose their protected status.
The Result: Mining companies and property developers would be allowed to flatten these "smaller" hills for profit.
The Outcry: People were furious. You can't just chop a mountain range in half and expect it to still work as nature's barrier.
The Court's Current Position: A Change of Heart
Thankfully, after a huge public campaign (the #SaveAravalli movement), the Supreme Court hit the pause button.
In early 2026, the judges decided to stay (stop) the 100-metre rule. They admitted that protecting the environment is more important than a technical measurement. For now, mining is being strictly monitored, and a team of experts has been told to come up with a better way to protect the entire landscape, regardless of how tall the hills are.
Khan Sir's Take: Why This Matters to You
The popular teacher Khan Sir has been very vocal about this. He explains the crisis in a way that everyone can understand:
The Desert Shield: He calls the Aravallis a "green wall." They stop the sands of the Thar Desert from blowing into Delhi and the surrounding areas. If the hills are destroyed, the desert moves in, and the air becomes unbreathable.
The Water Bank: The hills act like a giant sponge. They soak up rainwater and refill underground water levels. Without them, the already thirsty cities in North India will run completely dry.
The "Mafia" Problem: Khan Sir warns that if the law isn't crystal clear, "mining mafias" will exploit every loophole to dig up the land. He believes we need to protect the Aravallis the same way we protect our national borders.
Why Should We Care?
Bigger Deserts - Dust storms will become a daily reality in cities like Delhi.
No Water - Drinking water will become even more expensive and scarce.
Lost Wildlife - Animals like leopards will have nowhere to go, leading to more attacks in towns.
The Bottom Line
The Aravalli case is a battle between short-term profit and long-term survival. As the courts decide the final rules in 2026, the message from activists and educators like Khan Sir is clear: you can't rebuild a mountain once it's been turned into gravel.
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