Why in the news
On a government panel’s advice, the Supreme Court accepted a narrower Aravalli definition on 20 November 2025, sparking fears of lost protection.
| Aspect | Earlier | Now |
|---|
| Height test | 20 m or more | 100 m or more above local relief, plus adjacent slopes |
| Hills counted | 12,081 | 1,048 (about 8.7%) |
| Protection | Environmental laws applied | About 90% lose protection |
| Land use | Mining and building restricted | Large areas may open to mining and real estate |
About the Aravallis
- About 692 km across Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Gujarat.
- Over 1.5 billion years old; among the oldest fold mountains.
- Ecology: dust barrier against the Thar, groundwater recharge, wildlife corridors, better air.
- Economy: marble, quartz, copper, lead, zinc, tourism.
Major hill ranges
| Range | Highest peak (m) |
|---|
| Aravalli | Guru Shikhar (1,722) |
| Satpura | Dhupgarh (1,350) |
| Western Ghats | Anamudi (2,695) |
| Eastern Ghats | Arma Konda (1,680) |
| Himalayas | Kangchenjunga (8,586) |
Exam angle
- New threshold: 100 m; highest Aravalli peak: Guru Shikhar.