Aravalli plays a key role in regulating clean air, groundwater recharge, climate regulation, forest corridors, and biodiversity support across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
A section of environmentalists organised an awareness gathering on Saturday at the Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Park in Gurgaon’s Sector 29 behind Roots Cafe. It was a silent, thoughtful, and cooperative session rather than a protest. It was planned by the organisers, members of the Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement.
According to The Indian Express, more than 50 participants, including schoolchildren, highlighted the Aravallis’ role in providing clean air, groundwater recharge, climate regulation, forest corridors, and biodiversity support across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
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What happened in the event?
Climate activist Sangeeta Nayyar underlined the necessity for clean air and water. She talked about the high air quality index (AQI) levels and the dependency on air purifiers. She described the gathering as a citizen-led initiative intended for at raising awareness.
“We have to save the Aravallis now, else we are in deep trouble”, she said.
Jyoti Raghavan’s stance on the incident
Jyoti Raghavan is a former trustee of the organisation. She referred to the 2018 proposal to amend the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA). The amendment could have allowed construction on 33 per cent of the range.
“The new definition will mean the mother of all threats. Even with the abeyance threat still there to the Aravallis, January (weather) feels like June,” Raghavan said.
Raghavan illustrated recent consequences surrounding the definition of the Aravalli hills as a major concern. The Supreme Court’s stay in December 2025 of its November order had limited protection to landforms rising 100 metres or more.
She talked about the visible environmental changes, which includes sand along dust in cities and roads due to mining in the Thar region and declining groundwater levels, and called for continued legal and collective efforts.
The gathering ended with a collective promise to halt all mining and construction across the Aravalli biosphere until AQI reaches 50. Environmentalist and Aravalli Bachao trustee Vaishali Rana led children in the slogan “Aravalli ki loot, nahi chalegi (We won’t tolerate the Aravallis being looted)”.
The participants signed a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports from 2017 and 2022 on illegal mining in the Aravalli biosphere in Haryana.
