Why is government pushing through 'fatally flawed' redefinition of Aravallis, asks Congress

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh accused the Modi government of misleading the public on its redefinition of the Aravallis, a move opposed by the Forest Survey, the Supreme Court's empowered committee, and the court's amicus curiae. The new definition, which sets an elevation threshold for "Aravalli Hills" and a cluster size for "Aravalli Ranges," critics argue, does not adequately protect ecologically important areas within the Aravallis. The Centre maintains that most of the Aravallis remain protected and mining controls are not relaxed.