The Aravalli Definition Conflict: Law, Ecology, and the 100-Metre Rule

The Aravalli Range—one of the world’s oldest geological formations—is currently at the center of a high-stakes judicial recalibration. For law students and practitioners, the recent Supreme Court ruling in In Re: Issues relating to definition of Aravali Hills and Ranges (2025) is a masterclass in how technical definitions can redefine the scope of constitutional environmentalism.

Our Takeaway 

As the #SaveAravalli movement grows, the legal focus will shift to the ICFRE’s upcoming mapping. For those appearing in upcoming exams or handling environmental briefs, mastering the intersection of the Public Trust Doctrine and these new technical standards will be essential.

The Legal Core: A Uniform Definition but Why the Controversy?

The Interim Mandate: A Pause on Mining

For the legal community, this case highlights a shift toward "Scientific Reductionism" in environmental law. It poses a fundamental question: Can a mountain range be defined solely by its height, or must it be protected as a functional ecosystem?

On November 20, 2025, a Bench headed by the Supreme Court settled a decades-old ambiguity by accepting a uniform, elevation-based definition for the Aravallis across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

The "100-Metre" Criteria:

Aravalli Hill: Any landform in designated districts rising 100 metres or more above the local relief.

Aravalli Range: A cluster of two or more such hills situated within 500 metres of each other.

While the Court’s intent was to bring "clarity and uniformity" to prevent states from using inconsistent criteria to grant mining leases, environmentalists have sounded a "death knell" alarm.

The Protection Gap: According to Forest Survey of India (FSI) data, out of over 12,000 hill formations mapped, only 8.7% meet the 100-metre threshold. Critics argue this technicality effectively strips protection from 90% of the range, potentially opening low-lying ridges to mining and real estate.

The Government’s Defense: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has countered this, stating that the definition includes the base, slopes, and a 500m cluster buffer, ensuring that over 90% of the area remains preserved. The government asserts that mining will only be eligible in 0.19% of the landscape.

Crucially for practitioners, the Court did not grant a free pass for extraction. It has imposed a complete moratorium on new mining leases until a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is finalized by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).

This plan will follow the "Saranda Model," identifying:

• Inviolate Zones: Core areas where mining is strictly prohibited.

• Permissible Zones: Areas where scientifically justified mining may occur. 

About the Author: Adv. Kanak Purohit, a Jindal Global Law School graduate aims tthrough "Know Thy Case," to bridge the gap between academic theory and the "boardroom reality" of modern law, helping junior associates and aspirants leverage technology and strategy to achieve high-status success.

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