New Delhi, Dec 23 (PTI) — Congress on Tuesday criticised the Modi government over its move to redefine the Aravalli mountain range, calling it “hell-bent” and questioning who benefits from the decision.
In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “Aravallis need substantial restoration and meaningful protection. Why is the Modi Government hellbent on redefining them? To what end? For whose benefit? And why are recommendations of the Forest Survey of India being ignored?”
Ramesh highlighted that the government’s claim that only 0.19% of Aravallis is under mining leases is misleading. “If the area under actual Aravallis is considered, 0.19% is a gross under-estimate. In 15 verifiable districts, the Aravallis cover 33% of the land,” he said. He warned that under the new definition, many hills in Delhi NCR could lose protection, enabling real estate development and environmental stress.
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav defended the government, accusing Congress of spreading misinformation. “Only 0.19% of the Aravalli area is legally available for mining. The Modi government remains fully committed to protecting and restoring the Aravallis,” he said.
The Supreme Court in November 2025 accepted a legal definition: an “Aravalli Hill” is at least 100 metres above local terrain, and an “Aravalli Range” is a cluster of two or more such hills within 500 metres.
Category: Breaking News
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