A Crumbling Lifeline: The Destruction of the Aravallis
- Darsh Vatsa
- 11 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Delhi Ridge is a popular space among environmentalists, birders and wildlife enthusiasts. With multiple biodiversity parks, it stands out as a unique part of the National Capital Region—a region generally associated with pollution and industrial rush. It also contributes considerably to Delhi’s position as the world’s second most bird-rich capital.
“The Ridge” is a part of the Aravallis—a mountain range bordering the north-western flank of the Peninsular Plateau between Delhi and Gujarat—and is just a glimpse into the ecological prowess of the hills. The Aravallis are one of the oldest mountain ranges on the planet and host a variety of flora and fauna and are home to many nature reserves like the Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Ranthambore National Park, and the National Chambal Sanctuary.
The Aravallis also serve another purpose—the creation of underground aquifers. Urban development has led to the rapid concretisation of most of the land in the region, especially in areas like Delhi and Gurgaon, preventing groundwater recharge. It is in the Aravallis that rainwater penetrates the soil and rejuvenates the region’s already declining groundwater reserves. Besides, the ranges have also prevented the expansion of the desert into NCR’s population centres.
The disappearing hills
Mining is one of the most prominent issues threatening the survival of the Aravallis. Entire hills are being illegally brought down in search of minerals and building materials. In fact, more than 10% of the Aravalli range in the districts of Gurgaon, Faridabad and Mewat is covered by abandoned mine pits. The mining mafia also holds considerable power and influence. In July 2022, when a Deputy Superintendent of Police tried to investigate illegal stone mining in the region, he was mowed down by a truck.
Another factor contributing to the collapse of the Aravallis is the lack of ecological knowledge and a disregard for the natural wealth that these hills possess. According to a report by Deutsche Welle (DW), "If they are not being used to house people, what is the use of mountains?" was one of the responses from local builders and contractors who are spearheading a real estate boom in the region.
Despite parts of the Aravalli range being protected, the hills are being sacrificed for vanity projects to satiate the needs of the upper echelons (like golf courses), land is being encroached upon, laws and Supreme Court verdicts are being violated in broad daylight, and the range is fragmenting.
The fall of the Aravallis also means the nullification of its benefits. Indeed, its destruction will transform the region’s geography itself. With the range coming down, the desert could expand into the very heart of the National Capital. It would also mean the annihilation of the last reliable absorption pathway for NCR’s underwater aquifers.
Saving the Aravallis
To protect the Aravallis, grassroots mobilisation is going to be key. During the 2019 Haryana elections, citizens led the “No Aravallis, No Vote” campaign in the areas of Faridabad and Gurgaon. Unchecked urbanization has rendered the Aravallis extremely vulnerable to complete ecological degradation—the solution lies in people coming together not just to restore the lost land but to also be an active pressure group demanding policy reforms.
The Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Gurugram is a beaming example of the strength of collective action. With support from the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), citizens restored over 380 acres of land. It houses more than 300 plant species and over 200 bird species. The park is also a transformative idea which can be implemented across degraded areas in the Aravallis.
Recently, the Government of Haryana also announced the development of a 10,000-acre huge Jungle Safari Park in the Gurugram and Nuh Aravallis. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has talked about the establishment of an underwater world, aviary, biomes, nature trails, and botanical gardens alongside an area for ‘exotic birds’. While the government is presenting this as a conservation-cum-tourism initiative, it remains to be seen how the final plans for the safari would accommodate the region’s fragile ecology and whether it will conserve nature or aggravate environmental decay.
References
Gulshan, Abhishek. “A Round-the-Year Guide to Engaging with Nature.” The Hindu, 2 Jan. 2020, https://www.thehindu.com/society/a-round-the-year-guide-to-engaging-with-nature/article30459615.ece.
Lal, Pranay. “Aravallis: A Mountain Lost.” Down To Earth Magazine, 2019, https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/aravallis-a-mountain-lost-63811.
Joshi, Hridayesh. “Why Illegal Mining in Aravallis Should Scare Delhi and Its Neighbours.” Mongabay India, 21 Sept. 2020, https://india.mongabay.com/2020/09/why-illegal-mining-in-aravallis-should-scare-delhi-and-its-neighbours/.
PTI. “Haryana DSP Murder: Curbing Illegal Mining in Aravallis Remains an Uphill Task.” Times of India, 2022, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/haryana-dsp-murder-curbing-illegal-mining-in-aravallis-remains-an-uphill-task/articleshow/93006304.cms.
Rai, Basant, and K. E. Mothi Kumar. “Mapping of Mining Areas in Aravalli Hills in Gurgaon, Faridabad & Mewat Districts of Haryana Using Geo-Informatics Technology.” International Journal of Remote Sensing & Geoscience, 2016.
“The Disappearance of India′s Aravali Hills .” dw.com, Deutsche Welle, https://www.dw.com/en/the-disappearance-of-indias-aravali-hills/a-49617993. Accessed 15 Sept. 2022. Aggarwal, Mayank. “No Aravallis No Vote”: People Want Haryana Government to Spare the Hills. Mongabay India, 28 Feb. 2019, https://india.mongabay.com/2019/02/no-aravallis-no-vote-people-want-haryana-government-to-spare-the-hills/.
Express News Service. Coming up in 10,000 Acres in Aravallis, Largest Curated Jungle Safari Outside Africa. The Indian Express, 29 Sept. 2022, https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/worlds-largest-jungle-safari-park-will-come-up-in-haryana-says-khattar-8180831/.
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