Aravalli's Ancient Lifeline: SC Redefines Range, Sparks Conservation Debate

• Aravalli, India's oldest mountain range (2.5-3.5 billion years), spans 692 km across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Delhi.
• It's a global hub for diverse flora and medicinal plants, forming the primary basis of Ayurvedic medicine.
• Tribal communities in Sirohi revere Aravalli as 'Bhakar Devta', considering it their protector and prioritizing its environmental conservation.
• Supreme Court redefined 'Aravalli' to include only hills over 100 meters, aiming to curb illegal mining but sparking environmental concerns.
• Environmentalists fear the new definition could harm the ecosystem, impacting Aravalli's role in preventing Thar Desert expansion and affecting Western India's climate and water levels.

Why It Matters: Supreme Court's new Aravalli definition sparks debate over conservation of India's ancient, vital mountain range.