The Aravalli range — one of the oldest fold mountains on Earth, stretching over 700 kilometers across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi — has long stood as a green guardian of North India’s ecological health. But today, this ancient natural barrier is under threat like never before.
A combination of unchecked mining, rampant deforestation, illegal construction, and weak enforcement of environmental laws is gradually eating away at the Aravallis, leaving behind a trail of ecological devastation. Environmentalists, scientists, and local communities are sounding alarms, warning that the collapse of this crucial ecosystem could lead to severe consequences for millions of people living in its shadow.
🌍 Why the Aravallis Matter
The Aravallis are not just hills — they play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of Northern India. These ranges:
- Act as natural barriers that prevent desertification by blocking the expansion of the Thar Desert into the fertile plains of Haryana and Delhi.
- Recharge groundwater aquifers, making them crucial for water-scarce regions.
- Support a wide variety of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic and endangered.
- Help regulate temperature and air quality in heavily urbanized areas like Delhi-NCR.
- Serve as vital carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide and mitigating climate change effects.
Despite their ecological importance, the Aravallis remain poorly protected.
⛏️ The Threat of Illegal Mining
Perhaps the most immediate and destructive threat to the Aravallis is illegal mining. Over the years, miners — often backed by powerful lobbies — have continued to extract stones, sand, and other materials from the hills, leaving large scars on the landscape.
According to a 2023 report by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) appointed by the Supreme Court, over 31 out of 128 hills in the Aravallis in Haryana have vanished due to illegal mining. This kind of activity not only destroys the physical terrain but also erases entire ecosystems.
Despite a 1992 Supreme Court ban on mining in notified forest areas, enforcement remains weak. Loopholes in land classification, lack of updated satellite mapping, and corruption have allowed the mining mafia to continue operations — often in broad daylight.
🏗️ Urbanization and Encroachments
The rapid expansion of cities like Gurugram and Faridabad has pushed real estate development into the foothills of the Aravallis. Farmhouses, resorts, luxury villas, and banquet halls now dot what were once dense forest patches.
Environmentalists accuse authorities of turning a blind eye to encroachments. In fact, the controversial Haryana government proposal to dilute the Aravalli Notification through the “Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) Amendment Bill, 2019”, which would have opened up thousands of acres of forest land for development, sparked outrage and was eventually struck down by the Supreme Court.
Still, construction continues — often unauthorized — leading to the loss of biodiversity, obstruction of wildlife corridors, and destruction of water recharge zones.
💧 Groundwater Depletion and Water Crisis
One of the lesser-discussed consequences of Aravalli degradation is its impact on water security. The forested hills naturally recharge aquifers, feeding numerous lakes and underground water reserves.
But as the tree cover thins and mining blasts fracture rock formations, the natural recharge system is collapsing. In regions like southern Haryana, groundwater levels have dipped alarmingly, forcing villagers to rely on expensive tanker water.
A 2024 study by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) highlighted that regions closest to intact Aravalli forest cover had up to 35% higher water recharge rates compared to those where the range had been degraded.
🌳 Biodiversity at Risk
The Aravallis are home to species such as the leopard, striped hyena, nilgai, jungle cat, and over 200 species of birds. But with increasing habitat loss and fragmentation, wildlife populations are dwindling.
Wildlife corridors that once connected the Sariska Tiger Reserve, Ranthambhore, and other protected areas are now being choked by highways, mining pits, and real estate. Animal sightings in urban neighborhoods have increased — often ending in conflict — as wild species stray from their diminishing habitats in search of food and shelter.
In January 2025, a leopard was found dead near the Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Gurugram — likely hit by a vehicle while crossing a highway. It’s a grim reminder of the consequences of ignoring wildlife needs during urban planning.
🔥 Climate Impact and Air Quality
The decline of the Aravallis is also worsening climate-related challenges. Trees that once sequestered carbon and cooled the region are being removed, contributing to higher local temperatures and urban heat islands.
Moreover, dust storms from the Thar Desert, once checked by the Aravalli barrier, are now moving more freely into NCR and adjoining regions, exacerbating already dire air pollution levels.
Delhi, which already ranks among the world’s most polluted cities, may see further deterioration in air quality if this green barrier continues to crumble.
🌱 Hope Through Restoration: Citizen Movements and Legal Wins
Despite the bleak scenario, there are signs of hope.
Activists and citizens’ groups across Delhi, Gurugram, and Rajasthan have taken it upon themselves to protect and restore parts of the Aravallis. The “Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement” has been instrumental in raising awareness, conducting tree-planting drives, and filing legal petitions.
In 2024, the Supreme Court ordered the Haryana government to conduct a fresh satellite-based demarcation of the Aravalli forests and submit an action plan for restoration. The order also included directions to shut illegal mining operations and penalize encroachments.
On the ground, organizations like the I AM GURGAON and Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) are working on rewilding projects, installing check dams, and reviving traditional water bodies.
🛡️ The Road Ahead
Protecting the Aravallis will require more than just court orders and token plantation drives. It demands:
- Strict enforcement of existing environmental laws
- Revival of local water systems and community forests
- A complete ban on mining in ecologically sensitive areas
- Inclusion of Aravalli restoration in climate action plans
- Education and awareness campaigns for local populations and urban dwellers
The time to act is now. If India wants to secure its water, air, and biodiversity, saving the Aravallis must become a national priority — not just a regional concern.