The Haryana government has proposed a new definition for the Aravalli hills, focusing on the geological age and height of landforms. Experts warn that this move could significantly reduce the areas eligible for legal protection, favor real estate and mining interests, and have serious ecological consequences for the region.

🏞️ Proposed Redefinition of Aravalli Hills

The state’s Mines & Geology Department has recommended to the Environment and Forests Department that only hills and ranges belonging to the Aravalli Supergroup and Delhi Supergroup, formed during the Palaeoproterozoic (2.5–1.6 billion years ago) and Mesoproterozoic (1.7–1 billion years ago) Eras, and rising more than 100 metres above the surrounding terrain, be officially recognized as Aravalli Hills and Ranges.

This proposed definition excludes:

• Hills and rocks from the Neoproterozoic Era (1 billion–540 million years ago).

• Isolated landforms less than 100 metres tall, regardless of ecological importance.

⚠️ Potential Environmental Impact

M D Sinha, former Conservator of Forests (South Haryana), warned that the 100-metre height restriction could remove most of the Gurgaon and Faridabad Aravallis from official maps. This would deny these areas legal protection mandated by the Supreme Court, leaving them vulnerable to commercial real estate and mining projects.

Even though these hills are scrubby and low-lying, they perform critical ecological functions:

• Biodiversity conservation

• Water retention and groundwater recharge

• Climate regulation and heat trapping

• Dust pollution control

Sinha cautioned that losing these hills could worsen water scarcity, increase dust pollution, and expose the Delhi-NCR region to extreme weather, impacting millions of residents.

🏛️ Government Rationale and Criticism

The Mines & Geology Department states that the definition aligns with the Geological Survey of India’s classification, which focuses on ancient, linear, continuous ranges. The 100-metre criterion is borrowed from Rajasthan’s existing policy.

However, critics argue that age and height alone cannot determine ecological value. Many of India’s oldest mountain systems, including parts of the Eastern Ghats, would fail this test despite being ecologically vital.

🌱 Conservationists Call for Protection

Environmentalists stress that even low and fragmented hills are crucial for safeguarding regional ecology. Sinha noted:

“Unlocking these hills for real estate will benefit only a few wealthy landowners and companies, while millions face the consequences of ecological damage.”

The proposed changes have sparked concern among ecologists, conservationists, and local communities, who are urging the Haryana government to maintain broad protection for all Aravalli hills, regardless of height or age.