Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur

Jaipur, Dec 22: Protests erupted across multiple districts of Rajasthan on Monday against the approval of mining activities in the Aravalli mountain range, with demonstrations reported in Udaipur, Jodhpur, Sikar, Alwar, and other cities.

In Udaipur, Congress workers and members of social organisations gathered at the Collectorate, raising slogans against the decision. Tensions escalated into scuffles with police, resulting in the detention of several activists. Protesters, including members of the Karni Sena and other community groups, demanded the withdrawal of the court order and warned of intensified agitation if their demands were not met.

Environmentalists and residents in Sikar staged a protest at Harsh Parvat, a 945-meter-high area, urging the government to reverse the decision to protect the fragile ecosystem. In Jodhpur, NSUI workers attempted to breach police barricades, prompting authorities to resort to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd.

In Alwar, Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully condemned the approval, calling the Aravalli range the “lungs of Rajasthan” and warning of a massive agitation if the government did not retract the decision. Environmentalists also raised concerns about the impact on wildlife, questioning the survival of animals if the mountains are degraded.

The protests were triggered by a Supreme Court order dated November 20, 2025, which redefined Aravalli hills as landforms with an elevation of 100 meters or more, a move critics say excludes over 90% of the range from protection.

Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav responded with a letter titled “Ek Patti Alwar Ke Naam,” assuring that the Aravalli range remains fully protected. He emphasised that the Supreme Court’s decision strikes a balance between environmental conservation, prevention of illegal mining, and sustainable development. The minister highlighted Alwar’s ecological and heritage significance, including the Sariska Tiger Reserve and Siliserh Lake, reaffirming the government’s commitment to preserving the region’s ecological balance while enabling lawful development.