New Delhi – Environmental activists and community leaders have announced an ambitious Aravalli march protest beginning January 24, 2026, covering 700 kilometers through four states to challenge the Supreme Court’s controversial November 2025 ruling that altered the definition of the Aravalli range. The journey represents a significant grassroots mobilization to protect one of India’s most ecologically sensitive regions.
Aravalli March Protest Route and Scope
Members of the Aravalli Virasat Jan Abhiyan, a coalition of environmentalists, community leaders, social activists, researchers, and concerned citizens, announced the Aravalli march protest at a press conference in Delhi on Thursday. The extensive journey will commence from Aravalli district in Gujarat, traversing through multiple districts across four states.
The Aravalli march protest route will cover three districts in Gujarat before moving through 27 districts in Rajasthan and seven districts in Haryana, ultimately reaching Delhi. This comprehensive coverage aims to engage communities dependent on the hills and raise awareness about the range’s ecological importance.
Core Demands of Aravalli March Protest
The primary objective of the Aravalli march protest is to demand complete recall of the Supreme Court’s November 20, 2025, judgment. Neelam Ahluwalia, a coalition member, articulated the movement’s position: “Aravallis require strict protection, not senseless definitions to exclude the majority of areas from legal protection and so-called ‘sustainable mining plans’.”
The Aravalli march protest specifically demands that the Supreme Court scrap what activists term the “regressive new definition” of the Aravallis provided by a committee spearheaded by the Union environment ministry. Protesters argue this definition fundamentally undermines conservation efforts.
Controversial Supreme Court Ruling
The catalyst for the Aravalli march protest was the Supreme Court’s November 20, 2025, acceptance of a new definition of the Aravalli Hills and Range. Based on recommendations from a Union environment ministry-appointed committee, this definition limits classification to landforms rising at least 100 meters above local relief and clustering within specified distances.
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Environmental groups organizing the Aravalli march protest have criticized this ruling, warning that the criteria could exclude large portions of the ancient range from legal protection. They fear this exclusion could open previously protected areas to mining and development activities.
Ecological Concerns Driving Aravalli March Protest
Coalition members participating in the Aravalli march protest raised serious concerns about potential ecological damage. They warned that the altered definition could harm ecologically sensitive areas including wetlands, wildlife habitats, and watershed or catchment systems by permitting mining operations.
The Aravalli march protest activists have called for all mining in the region to stop entirely, emphasizing that the range plays a crucial role in north India’s environmental health and cannot be compromised for industrial development.
Water Activist’s Contribution to Aravalli March Protest
Renowned water activist Rajendra Singh, also part of the coalition organizing the Aravalli march protest, launched a book highlighting threats facing the Aravallis at Thursday’s event. His participation adds significant credibility to the movement’s environmental concerns.
Speaking about the Aravalli march protest objectives, Singh stated: “We want this journey to encourage everyone in the country to join the effort to protect the Aravallis. Additionally, there has been discussion regarding the creation of a barrier to protect the range, but this is not needed, as a natural barrier already exists and should be preserved.”
Tribal Communities’ Stake in Aravalli March Protest
The Aravalli march protest emphasizes the direct impact on tribal communities whose livelihoods depend entirely on the range. Kusum Rawat, a leader of the Adivasi Ekta Parishad from the Bhil tribe, explained the deep connection between indigenous communities and the Aravallis.
“All the different tribal communities living in the lap of the Aravallis rely on the forest for food, fuel, medicinal herbs and raw materials such as bamboo and tendu leaves,” Rawat stated, highlighting why the Aravalli march protest matters to indigenous populations.
Tribal Dependence on Aravalli Resources
Participants in the Aravalli march protest point out that hill slopes provide essential grazing land, while rain-fed terraces allow cultivation for tribal communities. Seasonal streams and water bodies supply drinking water and support small-scale fishing activities that sustain local populations.
The Aravalli march protest organizers emphasize that adivasi cultural identity, livelihood, and sustenance depend directly on the health of the Aravalli hills, forests, and their natural resources. This cultural dimension adds urgency to environmental protection demands.
Awareness and Community Engagement Goals
Beyond demanding judicial review, the Aravalli march protest aims to raise nationwide awareness about the range’s ecological importance. By interacting with communities dependent on the hills throughout the 700-kilometer journey, organizers hope to build broader public support for Aravalli protection.
The Aravalli march protest strategy involves grassroots engagement across multiple states, ensuring that local voices contribute to the larger conservation narrative and demonstrating widespread opposition to the court’s redefinition.
Legal Protection Concerns
The Aravalli protest highlights fundamental questions about environmental jurisprudence and the balance between development and conservation. Activists argue that the November 2025 ruling represents a dangerous precedent where technical definitions can override long-standing ecological protections.
Path Forward
As the Aravalli protest prepares to launch on January 24, it represents more than environmental activism—it embodies a struggle to preserve India’s natural heritage against what organizers view as regressive policy changes. The journey through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi will test whether grassroots mobilization can influence judicial and governmental decisions on environmental protection.
