185. Aravalli -100 Metres erasure

 

Bio

Bio (English)

Priyanka Kamath is a poet and writer who has written over 300 poems and contributed to several anthologies. She is from Mangalore and comes from a finance background, presently settled in the UAE. Her interests include art and craft, poetry, cooking, reading, and swimming. She dedicates all her work to her parents, believing their blessings guide her always.

Aravalli - The 100 Metre erasure 

Aravalli range is the oldest found mountain belt in India with an origin dating back to the paleo Proterozoic era( approx 2.5-1.6 billion years ago).

 In ancient times they were extremely high and have been worn down over millions of years of weathering. 

As per the new definition of the Aravalli hills that the supreme court accepted on 20 Nov 2025 that was proposed by the union environment ministery, that only hills above 100 metres above the local terrain be considered as the Aravalli Hills and Ranges . Which means atleast 90% of the Aravallis will no longer be protected.

The supreme court appointed a committee in 2018 found that in Rajasthan 32 out of 128 Aravalli hills disappeared in 50 years because of illegal quarrying and 10-12 large gaps opened up.

Experts also warn that the mining impacts are cumulative as even shallow scale of extraction can permanently alter drainage patterns , soil stability and reducing lands ability to absorb rainfall. Surface mining often destroy natural fissure , soil cover , rock structure that allow infiltration causing soil erosion, loss of top soil and flood risk. 

Intent for mining - Aravalli range contains precious and strategic minerals such as Gold , Tungsten and lead. 

Let's see how the Aravalli helps in absorbing rainfall :-

The hills are composed mainly of quartzitic & granite and are characterized by their rugged rocky structure and steep slopes. Aravalli range doesn't intercept the moisture giving South West monsoon winds off the Arabian sea,as it lies in the direction parallel to that of the coming monsoon winds leaving northwest region in rain shadow. The monsoon in India is not evenly distributed. The uneven surface level makes it convenient to preserve water. And breaking the hills for mining can alter groundwater table and it's purity. 

Extending from Gujarat to Delhi, the Aravalli range plays crucial ecological role in North western India. It serves as a natural barrier against desertification, preventing the expansion of Thar desert & protecting cities like Delhi , Jaipur , Gurgaon. Disruption of Aravalli barrier could worsen urban air quality, intensifying dust storms,heat waves and pollution in Delhi NCR region. 

Loss of lower hills likely to expose bast areas to sand and dust particles blooming from Thar desert to Indo Gangetic plains and endanger livelihood of farmer and health of people. 

In fragile hills such as Uttharakhand, tourism related construction has been reported to disrupt aquifer and natural water percolation, exacerbating water scarcity.

In today’s world, digital work often seeks validation from AI, as though technology itself has become the final judge. Yet AI only draws from information already placed in the public domain. The true impact of this process falls on the middle class who are vast in number. The benefits are reaped by a privileged few who, though small in count, hold disproportionate power. The Aravalli can be preserved only when people raise their voices and stand firm for their rights. 

Silence is no longer an option; awareness must turn into action, and spectators must become protectors.

This article is a humble attempt from my end to stand up for the Aravalli. When silence enables destruction, even a single written voice becomes an act of resistance. Saving the Aravalli begins with refusing to look away.

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©️ Priyanka Kamath 

11 Jan 2026