Environmental activists are campaigning to stop illegal open-cast stone mining across the Aravalli mountain range in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Delhi [1, 2].
The degradation of the range threatens critical ecological functions, including the protection of the Thar Desert from dust and the preservation of regional biodiversity [2, 3].
Activists including Sujit Mulgund and Rajkumar Topannavar have highlighted how these mining operations destroy farmland and deplete water sources [1, 2]. The scale of the damage is significant, with reports indicating that about 27% of the Aravalli range has already been lost [1].
These illegal operations generate heavy dust pollution and disrupt the water supply for local communities and farms [2, 3]. The mining has continued for decades, though activists increased their efforts to halt the destruction in 2024 [1, 4].
While much of the focus remains on the Aravalli range, similar legal battles against illegal extraction are occurring elsewhere. Rajkumar Topannavar said, "We have submitted a detailed complaint to the Lokayukta against illegal mining in the forest areas of Belagavi" [4].
The Belagavi complaints in Karnataka illustrate a broader pattern of activists challenging the extraction of minerals from protected forest areas [4]. In the Aravalli region, the range serves as a vital barrier and water catchment area for several Indian states [2, 3].
“About 27% of the Aravalli range has already been lost [1].”
The loss of over a quarter of the Aravalli range represents a significant failure in environmental enforcement. Because the range acts as a natural barrier against the Thar Desert, its continued depletion could accelerate desertification and jeopardize water security for millions of people across Northern India.
