The Map of the Aravalli Range has been provided below:<\/p>\n![\"Aravalli](\"https:\/\/vajiramias.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp\/current-affairs\/2025\/12\/Aravalli-Range-Map.webp\" "\\"Aravalli")
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Aravalli Range Supreme Court Guidelines<\/b><\/h2>\n
The Guidelines and Definition of Aravalli Hills and Range has been laid down by the Supreme Court of India in November 2025 after the Aravalli Range Controversy as discussed below:<\/p>\n
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- Aravalli Hills Definition:<\/b> Any landform rising <\/span>100 metres or more above the surrounding local terrain<\/b>. Local relief is measured using the <\/span>lowest contour line encircling the hill<\/b>. Protection applies to the entire hill system, including <\/span>supporting slopes and associated landforms<\/b>, regardless of height.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Aravalli Ranges Definition:<\/b> Clusters of <\/span>two or more such hills located within 500 metres of each other<\/b>. The <\/span>entire intervening area<\/b>, including slopes and smaller hillocks, is considered part of the range.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- SC Directions on Mining:<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Temporary ban<\/b> on issuing <\/span>new mining leases<\/b> in areas falling under the Aravalli definition.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Existing legal mining<\/b> allowed but under <\/span>strict regulation<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The ban remains until a <\/span>Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM)<\/b> is prepared by the <\/span>Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Requirements for the Management Plan (MPSM):<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Identify <\/span>no-mining zones<\/b> and <\/span>strictly regulated mining areas<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Map <\/span>sensitive habitats and wildlife corridors<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Assess <\/span>cumulative ecological impacts<\/b> and <\/span>carrying capacity<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Prescribe <\/span>restoration and rehabilitation measures<\/b> for mined areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- SC Observations:<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Recognized that <\/span>blanket bans<\/b> can fuel <\/span>illegal mining<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Adopted a <\/span>calibrated approach<\/b> combining <\/span>temporary pause on new mining<\/b>, <\/span>regulated continuation of existing legal mining<\/b>, and <\/span>permanent protection of ecologically sensitive areas<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Aravalli Range Location<\/b><\/h2>\n
The Location and extent of the Aravalli Range and Hills has been discussed below:<\/p>\n
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- The <\/span>Aravalli Range is located in north-western India<\/b>, forming one of the most prominent physiographic features of the region.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The range extends in a <\/span>south-west to north-east orientation<\/b>, which is distinct from most other Indian mountain ranges.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Its northernmost extension begins near <\/span>Delhi<\/b>, where the hills appear as discontinuous ridges.<\/span><\/li>\n
- From Delhi, the range passes through <\/span>southern Haryana<\/b>, influencing the drainage and ecological conditions of the region.<\/span><\/li>\n
- It then traverses through <\/span>central and southern Rajasthan<\/b>, where it is most extensive and prominent in height and width.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The Aravalli Range finally terminates near <\/span>Ahmedabad in Gujarat<\/b>, gradually merging with the surrounding plains.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Drainage System of the Aravalli Range<\/b><\/h2>\n
The key rivers originating or crossing through the Aravalli Range has been discussed below:<\/p>\n
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- The <\/span>Aravalli Range is a major watershed<\/b>, with rivers from western slopes draining into inland basins\/Arabian Sea<\/strong><\/a> and eastern slopes feeding the <\/span>Yamuna system<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Western-slope rivers<\/b> like <\/span>Luni, Sakhi, and Sabarmati<\/b> flow through arid regions, ending in marshes such as the <\/span>Rann of Kutch<\/b>, and host historical <\/span>Indus Valley sites<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The <\/span>Sahibi River and tributaries<\/b> (Dohan, Sota, Krishnavati) flow northwest into <\/span>Yamuna<\/b><\/a>, with paleochannels containing key wetlands like <\/span>Bhindawas and Sultanpur<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Eastern-slope rivers<\/b> like <\/span>Chambal, Banas, and Berach<\/b> drain northeast into the Yamuna, with tributaries such as <\/span>Ahar River<\/b> forming lakes like <\/span>Pichola<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The drainage system features seasonal flows, wide sandy channels, and paleochannels, supporting biodiversity, wetlands, and human settlements.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n\n - Western-slope rivers<\/b> like <\/span>Luni, Sakhi, and Sabarmati<\/b> flow through arid regions, ending in marshes such as the <\/span>Rann of Kutch<\/b>, and host historical <\/span>Indus Valley sites<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The range extends in a <\/span>south-west to north-east orientation<\/b>, which is distinct from most other Indian mountain ranges.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Adopted a <\/span>calibrated approach<\/b> combining <\/span>temporary pause on new mining<\/b>, <\/span>regulated continuation of existing legal mining<\/b>, and <\/span>permanent protection of ecologically sensitive areas<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Recognized that <\/span>blanket bans<\/b> can fuel <\/span>illegal mining<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- \n
- Map <\/span>sensitive habitats and wildlife corridors<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Identify <\/span>no-mining zones<\/b> and <\/span>strictly regulated mining areas<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- \n
- Existing legal mining<\/b> allowed but under <\/span>strict regulation<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Temporary ban<\/b> on issuing <\/span>new mining leases<\/b> in areas falling under the Aravalli definition.<\/span><\/li>\n
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- Aravalli Ranges Definition:<\/b> Clusters of <\/span>two or more such hills located within 500 metres of each other<\/b>. The <\/span>entire intervening area<\/b>, including slopes and smaller hillocks, is considered part of the range.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n