At the centre of the controversy is a Supreme Court-approved framework that standardises the definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges across states. ADVERTISEMENTThe government said the move strengthens protection, removes ambiguity and curbs practices that earlier allowed mining close to hill bases. Environment minister Bhupender Yadav said the approved definition will bring over 90 per cent of the Aravalli region under protected area. “In the total area of 1.44 lakh square kilometres of the Aravalli, mining eligibility can only be in 0.19 per cent of the area. On November 20, 2025, the Supreme Court accepted the recommendations of a committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change on a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges.

Source: The Telegraph December 21, 2025 19:02 UTC