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Introduction The Aravalli Hills, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world , have once again become the focus of nationwide environmental concern following the Supreme Court’s acceptance of a revised definition proposed by a committee under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) . The revised definition has triggered protests across Gurugram, Udaipur, and other parts of Haryana and Rajasthan , with environmental activists, lawyers, and local residents warning that the move could seriously weaken ecological protections for the region. What Is the New Definition of the Aravalli Hills? As per the recommendations accepted by the Supreme Court, the Aravalli landscape is now defined as follows: Aravalli Hill : Any landform located in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above local relief . Aravalli Range : A cluster of two or more such hills situated within 500 metres of each other . This definition introduces quantitati...

 In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has held that artificial lakes or man-made waterbodies do not enjoy statutory protection under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 , but emphasized that governments must safeguard them under the Doctrine of Public Trust to promote ecological balance and sustainable development. The Futala Lake Case: Background The verdict came in connection with Futala Lake (Telangkhedi Tank) in Nagpur , a historical waterbody built in 1799 by the ruler of Nagpur to serve irrigation needs. The lake spans a catchment area of approximately 200 hectares and has long been a prominent urban landmark. A non-profit organization, Swacch Association Nagpur , had approached the Supreme Court challenging construction activities around the lake—such as the creation of a plaza, floating restaurant, musical fountain, and viewers’ gallery —arguing that these developments violated the Wetlands Rules, 2017 . The Bombay High Court’s N...