The Aravalli Mountain Range is not just a collection of rocks; it is a 2-billion-year-old living shield. Stretching approximately 700 km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, these hills are currently at the center of a massive environmental movement that will define the future of life in Northern India.
At SpoonFeeding.in, we believe in breaking down complex crises into actionable steps. Here is the comprehensive breakdown of why the Aravallis matter and the urgency behind the 2025 movement.
1. The Ecological Importance of the Aravallis
The Aravalli range acts as a multi-functional ecological barrier. Its significance is non-negotiable for the survival of the Indo-Gangetic region.
🛡️ A Natural Barrier Against Desertification
The Aravallis serve as a wall that prevents the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert. Without these hills, the fertile plains of Haryana and Delhi would be swallowed by shifting sands, leading to a catastrophic loss of agricultural land and food security.
💧 Groundwater Recharge and Water Security
The fractured rocks of the Aravallis act like a giant sponge. During monsoons, they facilitate the recharge of underground aquifers, which sustain the water table for millions in water-stressed cities like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Delhi. Major rivers like the Chambal, Luni, and Sabarmati also depend on the health of this range.
🌬️ Air Quality and Climate Regulation
In a region where the Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently hits hazardous levels, the Aravallis act as a natural filter. The forests trap particulate matter and moderate local temperatures, preventing the "urban heat island" effect. They also influence wind patterns, guiding monsoon clouds toward Northern India.
🐆 A Biodiversity Hotspot
The range is home to diverse flora and fauna, including leopards, striped hyenas, and rare bird species. It contains 22 wildlife sanctuaries and serves as a vital wildlife corridor, allowing animals to move between protected areas like Sariska Tiger Reserve.
2. Why is the "Save Aravalli" Campaign Happening?
The campaign has reached a boiling point in late 2025. Here are the three main threats driving citizens to the streets:
📍 The "100-Metre" Definition Controversy
A major catalyst for the current protests is a recent legal redefinition of what constitutes a "hill." The Supreme Court accepted a definition that limits protection to landforms rising 100 metres or more above local relief.
The Crisis: Experts warn that this could exclude nearly 90% of the range from environmental protection. Redefining these as "non-hills" makes them legally vulnerable to mining and real estate development.
⛏️ Rampant Mining and Urbanization
Illegal and excessive mining for sandstone, marble, and limestone has already caused 31 hill ranges in Rajasthan to vanish. This "flattening" creates gaps that allow desert dust to flow freely into the Delhi-NCR region. Simultaneously, "explosive" urbanization in Gurugram has encroached upon forest land, shrinking the natural habitat.
🌳 The Green Wall Project Debate
While the government has proposed the 1,400 km long Aravalli Green Wall Project, campaigners argue that planting new trees cannot compensate for the destruction of ancient, existing ecosystems. They demand a complete ban on mining and a reversal of the height-based definition.
3. The Consequences of Failure: What's at Stake?
| Crisis Factor | The Reality by 2030 |
|---|---|
| Water Crisis | Depletion of aquifers leading to "Day Zero" scenarios in Gurugram and Delhi. |
| Toxic Air | Permanent year-round smog as the natural dust and pollution sink disappears. |
| Climate Extremes | Higher summer temperatures (exceeding 50°C) and more frequent, violent dust storms. |
| Biodiversity | Extinction of local leopard populations and the death of seasonal river systems. |
4. The Movement: Who to Follow and Support
The Save Aravalli movement is a citizen-led initiative involving environmentalists, students, and local communities. If you want to stay updated or join the fight, these are the authentic voices on the ground:
📱 Instagram / Facebook
Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement: The primary hub for legal updates and protest call-outs in the Delhi-NCR region.
🧵 X (Twitter)
Youth for Aravalli: A student-led collective focusing on digital activism and the #RightToBreathe hashtag.
🌐 Web Support
Tarun Bharat Sangh: Supported by Rajendra Singh ("Waterman of India"), focusing on the water-security aspect of the range.
Take Action Now! ✊
The Aravallis have protected India for millions of years. Today, they need India to protect them.
- 📢 Raise Awareness: Use hashtags like #SaveAravalli and #RightToBreathe to trend the issue.
- ⚖️ Legal Petitions: Support NGOs like the Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement challenging the "100-metre" rule.
- 🚶 Local Action: Participate in human chains and peaceful protests organized in Gurugram, Delhi, and Udaipur.
