Haryana Fines Firms for Illegal Waste Dumping in Aravallis | 01 Jul 2025

Why in News? 

The Haryana Forest Department has imposed a fine on three firms for illegally dumping construction debris and industrial waste in Nuh's Aravallis forests. 

• Cases were registered under sections 223(b) and 324(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

Key Points

• About Aravallis:  
  • The Aravallis is the oldest fold mountain on Earth. Geological studies indicate that it is three billion years old.  
  • It spans from Gujarat to Delhi (through Rajasthan and Haryana).  
  • The highest peak in the Aravalli Range is Guru Shikhar Peak on Mount Abu.  
  • Impact on Climate:  
    • The Aravallis have an impact upon the climate of northwest India and beyond.  
    • During monsoons, the mountain range gently guides the monsoon clouds eastwards towards Shimla and Nainital, thus helping nurture the sub-Himalayan rivers and feeding the north Indian plains.  
    • During the winter months, it shields the fertile alluvial river valleys of the Indus and Ganga from the harsh cold westerly winds blowing in from Central Asia.  
  • Ecological Role of the Aravalli Range:  
    • The Aravalli range acts as a natural shield against desertification by preventing the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert.  
    • It protects major cities such as Delhi, Jaipur, and Gurugram from desert encroachment and rising aridity.  
  • Rivers:  
    • The range serves as the origin point for several important rivers, including the Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni.  
    • These rivers are crucial for agriculture, drinking water, and regional ecosystems across northwestern India.  
  • Biodiversity Hotspot:  
    • The forests, grasslands, and wetlands in the Aravalli support numerous endangered plant and animal species, making it a critical ecological habitat.  
  • Threats to the Aravalli Ecosystem:  
    • Deforestation, illegal mining, overgrazing, and human settlements are accelerating land degradation across the range.  
      • These activities are damaging underground aquifers, drying lakes, and weakening the range’s ability to support wildlife and biodiversity. 
    • The Supreme Court in 2009 ordered a complete ban on mining in the Aravalli hills of Faridabad, Gurgaon, and Nuh districts of Haryana.