Gehlot Accuses Centre of Conspiracy to Sell Aravalli Hills for Mining Interests

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleges that the Centre is undermining environmental safeguards to facilitate mining in the Aravalli Hills. He challenges claims about limited mining areas and questions the government's intentions regarding protected statuses.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has accused the central government of planning to sell the Aravalli Hills under the guise of protection. He alleged that there are efforts to weaken environmental safeguards to favour mining interests. Gehlot dismissed Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav's claim that only 0.19% of the Aravallis would be affected by mining, calling it misleading.

Gehlot also raised concerns about attempts to alter Sariska's protected status. He questioned the intentions of both the Centre and the BJP-led Rajasthan government regarding these changes. On November 20, 2025, the Supreme Court accepted a new definition for Aravalli Hills and Ranges, sparking controversy among environmentalists and political figures.

Aravalli Hills Definition Sparks Controversy

The new definition describes an Aravalli Hill as any landform in designated districts with an elevation of at least 100 metres above its local relief. An Aravalli Range is defined as two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other. Critics argue this change could lead to the destruction of 90% of one of India's oldest mountain ranges.

Gehlot accused the BJP of misleading the public with selective data. He claimed that decisions like the new 100-metre definition indicate a plan to hand over protected areas to mining interests. "The BJP is trying to confuse public through selective data," Gehlot stated.

Concerns Over Environmental Safeguards

Gehlot criticised changes made to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which was established by the Supreme Court in 2002 for environmental protection. A notification on September 5, 2023, placed it under the Union environment ministry, allowing the Centre to appoint members, thus weakening its independence.

He highlighted that the CEC's independent report led to former Karnataka minister Janardhan Reddy's arrest in an illegal mining case in 2011. Now, Gehlot claims, it merely endorses government decisions.

Sariska Tiger Reserve Concerns

Regarding Sariska Tiger Reserve, Gehlot alleged that claims about unaffected protected areas were incomplete. He said this year, Rajasthan proposed changing Sariska's Critical Tiger Habitat boundary, benefiting over 50 marble and dolomite mines previously shut due to restrictions.

Approvals for this proposal were expedited unusually fast. The Rajasthan State Wildlife Board cleared it on June 24, followed by approvals from the National Tiger Conservation Authority and National Board for Wildlife within two days. The Supreme Court stayed this decision on August 6, questioning how such a process was completed so quickly.

Political Reactions and Environmental Impact

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh supported Gehlot's remarks, accusing the Modi government of hypocrisy regarding Aravalli conservation. "Gehlot was absolutely right in saying that the Modi government was not interested in saving the Aravallis but in selling it," Ramesh stated.

The Modi government claims only 0.19% of the Aravalli region will be opened for mining and other activities. However, Ramesh pointed out that this percentage translates to approximately 68,000 acres, not a small area. Its fragmentation could cause significant environmental damage.

The Aravalli range has already suffered considerable harm, and Ramesh argued that current policies are worsening this destruction. The ongoing debate highlights concerns over environmental protection versus development interests in India.

With inputs from PTI