Overview
- An internal FSI assessment reviewed by The Indian Express found only 1,048 of 12,081 mapped Aravalli hills 20 m or higher in Rajasthan meet the 100 m threshold, implying coverage of about 8.7%.
- On November 20, the Supreme Court accepted an Environment Ministry panel’s uniform definition that counts only landforms 100 m above local relief, including their slopes and adjacent land.
- The Court has halted the grant of new mining leases until the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education prepares a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining for the range.
- Experts and opposition leaders warn the change could leave over 90% of the hills open to mining and construction, with risks to Delhi‑NCR air quality, groundwater recharge, biodiversity, and livelihoods.
- The new definition departs from FSI’s slope‑based methods (3° historically; 4.57° plus 30 m proposed in 2024) and reportedly excludes established Aravalli districts such as Chittorgarh and Sawai Madhopur.