Aravalli benchmark could have effects beyond mining, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• The Union Environment Ministry stated that the Aravalli Hills are under "robust protection" despite criticism of the new definition.
• The new definition, approved by the Supreme Court on November 20, considers landforms at an elevation of 100 meters or more above the local relief as part of the Aravalli Hills.
• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stated that mining would be permissible in only 0.19% of the Aravalli's total expanse of 1.44 lakh sq km.
• The new parameters will leave out large tracts identified as part of the Aravalli range under the Forest Survey of India’s (FSI) 3-degree slope formula.

Detailed Insights:

• The new definition uses 'local profile' as the measuring base, potentially excluding a significant part of the Aravalli range compared to using a standardized baseline.
• No new mining leases will be allowed until a detailed study is undertaken according to the November 20 order.
• Parts of Aravallis designated as tiger reserves, national parks, sanctuaries, eco-sensitive zones, wetlands, and plantations remain protected from mining and development.
• The new Aravalli benchmark identifies landforms rising at least 100 metres from the local profile as Aravalli Hills, and intervening stretches between hills less than 500 metres apart are also included.
• The new parameters will leave out large tracts identified as part of the Aravalli range under the Forest Survey of India’s (FSI) 3-degree slope formula.
• Several districts have been dropped from the list of 34 Aravalli districts, including Sawai Madhopur and Chittorgarh in Rajasthan.
• The extent of the Aravallis cited by the minister (1.44 lakh sq km) is overstated, covering almost the entire landmass of all 34 Aravalli districts.
• The ministry told the Supreme Court that the 100-metre definition would include a larger area under the Aravalli range compared to the FSI’s 3-degree formula.
• Adopting local profiles as baselines for height measurement will result in exclusion of many 100 metre or higher hills from the Aravalli definition if the surrounding areas are of relatively high elevation.
• The 100-metre definition will derecognize most hilly tracts as Aravalli in Delhi NCR, potentially unlocking large areas for real estate development.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Aravalli Hills: A mountain range in northwestern India, one of the oldest fold mountains in the world.
• Local Relief: The difference in elevation between the high and low points within a specific, limited area.
• Forest Survey of India (FSI): A national organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change responsible for assessing forest resources.