Rajasthan 'Quietly' Opens Aravalli Hills for Development, Sparks Controversy

• Rajasthan's new 2024 regulations reclassify Aravalli hill slopes in urban areas, permitting "low-density" construction like resorts and farmhouses.
• Category B slopes (8-15 degrees) are now open for development, a significant shift from previous protections.
• Conservationists warn these rules contradict FSI's Aravalli definition and risk irreversible ecological damage.
• The regulations include discretionary clauses for construction on crestlines and land conversion in protected zones, raising expert concerns.
• Despite CM Bhajanlal Sharma's vow to protect Aravallis, the Jheel Sanrakshan Samiti plans a legal challenge against the new framework.

Why It Matters: Rajasthan's new Aravalli rules allow construction on hill slopes, sparking environmental concerns and legal challenges.