Aravalli Row: Centre Clarifies No 'Free For All' Mining As Activists Warn Of 'Erasure On Paper'

In this Special Report, an Unidentified speaker highlights the growing controversy over the Aravalli Hill Chain following a Supreme Court order redefining what qualifies as a hill. The new interpretation, requiring land to rise over 100 metres, suggests that '90% of the Aravalli Hill Chain' could lose statutory protection. An internal Forest Survey of India assessment reveals that 'out of 12,081 mapped hills, only 1,048' meet this threshold. Amidst the outrage, the Centre has clarified that there will be 'no free for all mining'. Union Environment Minister Bhupinder Yadav asserts that 'strict scientific scrutiny will decide any future permissions'. The programme explores the potential ecological impact on North India's 'ancient green shield'.