Deep Pits and Protests: The Battle to Save the Aravalli Mountains
The ancient Aravalli mountains in India are facing serious threats from large-scale mining operations. These deep pits dangerously scar the land, putting the future of the surrounding forests at risk. For New Delhi, these forests are a crucial defense against the scorching winds from the desert.
Local residents have raised their voices against the relentless mining that is feeding the growing demand for concrete in some of the world’s fastest-growing cities. Many are worried that if the destruction continues, it might be too late to reverse the damage.
Experts warn that losing these mountains is intensifying city temperatures, increasing the chances of desertification, and leading to serious health issues. For people living near the Aravallis, which stretch from Gujarat to the heart of New Delhi, the situation is dire.
Salle Kumar, a 34-year-old farmer from Rajasthan, shared his concerns: “Mining has destroyed our region. Our rivers are dry, and our farms are barren.” Residents also report rising instances of lung diseases, largely attributed to dust from mining activities. “The dust is everywhere, all day long,” said Subhash Saini, whose brother suffered from silicosis, a condition caused by inhaling dust.
In Rajasthan, a considerable portion of the Aravallis has been mined—about 25%, according to a 2018 Supreme Court report. Mines around the small village of Chatru Ki Dhani extract stone for construction, creating massive craters. During a recent visit, loud explosions filled the air as workers blasted rock to widen the mines.
The mining activities have even affected homes. Om Prakash Verma, a local resident, described how the vibrations from the blasts have caused cracks in his walls. Some houses have even collapsed. “The ground shakes violently with each explosion,” Verma noted, recalling how his aunt faced violence when she protested against the mining operations.
In response to the growing concerns, India’s environment ministry stated that only a tiny fraction of the Aravalli region is available for mining—just 0.19% or about 277 square kilometers. They dismissed claims of an ecological crisis as alarmist. However, independent reviews suggest the impact is far more extensive. A report from India’s Comptroller and Auditor General revealed that nearly 34% of surveyed mines were operating outside their legal limits.
Activists see the recent Supreme Court ban on new mining licenses as a move that may come too late. Kailash Meena, a long-time anti-mining advocate, emphasized that many existing mining licenses were issued without adequate checks. He pointed out the widespread illegal mining activities that audits have consistently highlighted.
The degradation of the Aravallis poses a wider threat to northern India. Experts like ecologist C.R. Babu describe the range as essential for preventing dust storms and heat waves from reaching populated areas. He warns that without efforts to protect the Aravallis, fertile regions like the Ganges floodplains could turn to desert.
In urban areas, where summer temperatures can reach a staggering 45°C (113°F), the risk of becoming a dust bowl looms larger. Activists like Meena, who lost his brother to lung disease two decades ago, have been alerting people to these dangers for years. “Now that city dwellers are feeling the heat, there’s a sudden focus on saving the Aravallis,” he mentions.
Despite the turmoil, parts of the Aravallis are still home to wildlife, including leopards and various other species. In Bhagwanpura village, 18-year-old Nikita Meena and her friends have set up camp on a hilltop since January to block miners from entering one of the last untouched areas. “We will not let the miners in,” she insists. “Mining only brings destruction.”
The struggle to protect the Aravalli mountains continues, highlighting the clash between development and nature.
