In Focus by The Hindu The Aravalli debate: Is it impossible to protect fragile ecosystems in India?
Jan 2, 2026
Kanchi Kohli, an esteemed environment and forest policy expert, dives into the fragility of the Aravalli ecosystem, emphasizing its critical role in protecting northern India's plains from desertification. She discusses the recent Supreme Court ruling limiting environmental protections, sparking public uproar as most Aravallis are excluded. Kohli challenges the viability of 'sustainable mining,' critiques judicial activism in environmental regulation, and highlights the impacts of mining on local communities, urging for a broader, more inclusive approach to ecological integrity.
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100m Rule Undermines Broad Protection
- The Supreme Court's 100m rule would leave most Aravalli hills unprotected, creating huge gaps in conservation.
- Kanchi Kohli highlights that legal definitions are driving outcomes more than holistic ecological concerns.
Definitions Drive Legal Outcomes
- Legal definitions of 'hill' and 'range' have become politically decisive in the Aravalli debate.
- Kanchi warns that definitions can determine what activities are allowed or prohibited on the ground.
Urban Growth Fuels Aravalli Pressure
- Pressure to exploit Aravallis stems from urban expansion, mining and infrastructure needs.
- Kohli notes contestation grows as the resource shrinks and cities expand into the range.