Gehlot dismissed Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav’s assertion that mining would occur only in 0.19% of the Aravallis, labeling it as misleading and far from the reality.
He also questioned the motives of both the Centre and the BJP-led Rajasthan government concerning attempts made this year to change the protected status of Sariska.
On November 20, 2025, the Supreme Court accepted recommendations from a committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change regarding a new definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges.
According to this new definition, “Aravalli Hill is any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above its local relief,” and “Aravalli Range is a collection of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other.”
This decision has ignited significant controversy, with environmental experts and political leaders arguing that the absence of legal protection could lead to the destruction of 90% of one of India’s oldest mountain ranges.
“The BJP is attempting to mislead the public by using selective data. The new 100-metre definition of the Aravallis must be examined alongside other decisions that indicate a strategy to hand over protected areas to the mining industry,” Gehlot stated on Monday.
“Union Minister Bhupender Yadav’s assertion that, even after this new decision, mining would be permitted in only 0.19% of the Aravallis is false and deceptive,” he remarked.
Gehlot mentioned that the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), established by the Supreme Court in 2002 to safeguard the environment, was undermined through a notification on September 5, 2023, which placed it under the Union environment ministry.
“Previously, CEC members were appointed with the Supreme Court’s approval. The new arrangement allows the Centre to appoint members, which makes the committee ineffective,” he alleged.
Gehlot highlighted that it was the CEC’s independent report that had led to the CBI arrest of former Karnataka minister Janardhan Reddy in an illegal mining case in 2011. He argued that the committee has now been reduced to merely endorsing government decisions.
Also Read | SC’s new Aravalli definition opens loopholes for mining, strips vast areas of protection: Legal experts
Concerning the Sariska Tiger Reserve, Gehlot mentioned that claims of no impact on protected areas were “incomplete.”
He contended that this year, the Rajasthan government proposed a rationalization of the Critical Tiger Habitat boundary in Sariska, which would benefit over 50 marble and dolomite mines previously restricted due to protections surrounding the area.
He claimed that approvals for this proposal were expedited in “record time,” with the Rajasthan State Wildlife Board clearing it on June 24, the National Tiger Conservation Authority granting approval on June 25, and the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife approving it on June 26.
Gehlot asserted that the Supreme Court had stayed the decision on August 6 this year and questioned how a process typically taking months was completed in just 48 hours. He asserted that both the Centre and the state government continue to attempt to alter the Critical Tiger Habitat boundaries.
