Dear Hon'ble President of India,

We, the undersigned citizens of India and concerned global supporters, humbly petition Your Excellency to intervene urgently in the protection and conservation of the Aravalli mountain range – one of the world's oldest geological formations, spanning nearly 650 kilometers from Delhi to Gujarat. This ancient range is not just a natural wonder but a vital ecological shield for northern India, preventing the encroachment of the Thar Desert into the Indo-Gangetic plains, stabilizing regional climate, supporting rich biodiversity, recharging groundwater aquifers, and serving as the origin for rivers like the Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni.

For decades, the Aravallis have faced severe threats from unchecked human activities, including rampant illegal mining for minerals such as sandstone, limestone, marble, and metals. This has led to widespread deforestation, soil erosion, plummeting groundwater levels, deteriorating air quality, and the loss of wildlife habitats. Recent developments have exacerbated these dangers: A November 2025 Supreme Court ruling adopted a uniform definition of Aravalli "hills" as those exceeding 100 meters in height, potentially stripping protection from up to 90% of the range and opening vast areas to mining and development. This decision risks accelerating desertification, worsening pollution in cities like Delhi, and threatening the livelihoods of indigenous communities dependent on these ecosystems.

India's commitment to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification underscores the need to safeguard such vulnerable landscapes. While positive steps like the Aravalli 'Green Wall' project – launched in June 2025 to restore green cover in a five-kilometer buffer across 29 districts in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi – offer hope for rehabilitating 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, these efforts will be undermined without comprehensive protection. The Supreme Court's call for a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is a step forward, but immediate action is needed to halt fresh mining leases, enforce strict regulations, and restore damaged areas.

Our Specific Requests:

Direct the Union Government and relevant ministries to declare the entire Aravalli range – including areas below 100 meters – as a protected ecological zone, overriding any definitions that enable exploitation.
Impose a complete moratorium on all new mining activities, renewals, and stone-crushing operations in the Aravallis until a thorough environmental impact assessment is completed and sensitive zones (e.g., wildlife corridors, aquifer recharge areas, and tiger habitats) are permanently safeguarded.
Accelerate the implementation of the Aravalli Green Wall project with increased funding and community involvement to restore forests, prevent desertification, and promote sustainable livelihoods.
Establish an independent monitoring body, involving environmental experts, local communities, and NGOs, to curb illegal mining and ensure accountability for violators.
Advocate for stronger national policies aligning with India's international environmental commitments, ensuring the Aravallis' preservation for future generations.
The Aravallis are irreplaceable – their loss would mean irreversible ecological disaster, increased vulnerability to climate change, and a betrayal of our natural heritage. As the guardian of the Constitution and the nation's conscience, Your Excellency's intervention can rally the government, judiciary, and citizens to save this lifeline.

We urge you to act now. Sign this petition to join the call for a greener, safer India!

Sincerely,