Congress Questions Government's Redefinition of Aravalli Hills Amid Environmental Concerns
Congress Raises Concerns Over Aravalli Hills Redefinition
On Wednesday, the Congress party challenged the Union government regarding its controversial redefinition of the Aravalli hills, labeling it as 'fatally flawed' despite significant opposition from expert bodies and advisors to the Supreme Court.
Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary, took to social media to share a report indicating that the Supreme Court's endorsement of the government's new definition contradicts the recommendations made by its own Central Empowered Committee.
The report highlighted that the Forest Survey of India's definition, which includes areas with a minimum elevation of three degrees, would provide better ecological protection for the Aravalli range.
The Aravalli mountain range, spanning approximately 700 kilometers from southwest Gujarat through Rajasthan to Delhi and Haryana, has its highest peak at Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu, reaching an elevation of 1,722 meters.
According to the newly accepted definition by the Supreme Court, an Aravalli hill is defined as any landform that rises at least 100 meters above the surrounding terrain, while an Aravalli range consists of two or more such hills located within 500 meters of each other, including the land in between.
Environmentalists have expressed concerns that this height-based definition could leave many lower, ecologically significant hills vulnerable to mining and construction activities. Experts emphasize that these smaller hills play a vital role in preventing desertification, recharging groundwater, and supporting local communities.
It is by now abundantly clear that the Union Minister of Environment, Forests, and Climate Climate is being economical with the truth on the Aravallis issue and is misleading the public.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 24, 2025
The redefinition of the Aravallis that the Modi Govt is adopting has been clearly and… pic.twitter.com/lzUpKTmrEZ
The government has refuted claims that the redefinition undermines environmental protections, asserting that over 90% of the Aravalli region remains safeguarded.
Ramesh accused the environment ministry of being 'economical with the truth' and misleading the public by continuing with a redefinition that has faced strong opposition from expert institutions.
Previously, the party had declared the Aravallis as a national natural heritage and cautioned that the new definition could jeopardize their ecological integrity.