New Delhi: The Aravalli hills are once again in the spotlight after recent Supreme Court observations and debates around the controversial “100-metre height” definition raised fears that large parts of the range could be opened up for mining. But while Aravallis dominate headlines, several other mountain systems across India are quietly collapsing under the weight of illegal mining, unplanned construction and administrative neglect. From deadly landslides in Wayanad to the sinking of Joshimath, warning signs are already visible. Environmental experts say if the blasting of hills continues unchecked, future generations may only see these mountains in old maps and fading photographs.
1. Western Ghats: India’s Water Tower Under Stress
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s eight hottest biodiversity hotspots, the Western Ghats stretch across six states—Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. A 2025 IUCN assessment placed the region in a “high concern” category.
The 2024 Wayanad landslide in Kerala brutally exposed the fragile state of the Ghats. The problem goes far beyond mining. Hill cutting for highways, resorts and real estate, along with illegal stone quarries, has destabilised slopes.
The long-running debate between the Madhav Gadgil Committee and the Kasturirangan Committee remains unresolved even today. While courts and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) have repeatedly pulled up state governments, illegal crushers continue to operate, especially in the Sahyadri and Konkan belts, altering river flows and increasing flood risks.
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2. Eastern Ghats: The Curse of Bauxite
Unlike the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats are fragmented—but culturally and ecologically priceless. These hills are sacred to tribal communities and rich in bauxite reserves, making them a flashpoint for conflict.
In Odisha’s Koraput district, the Mali Parbat hill has seen two decades of resistance against proposed mining by Hindalco. Locals fear the loss of dozens of perennial water sources. While legal challenges and gram sabha objections have slowed projects, the threat remains.
The Niyamgiri movement became historic after the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that village councils would decide mining fate. Yet pressure has now shifted to neighbouring hills like Sijimali and Kutrumali, with fresh leases once again landing in courts.
3. Rajmahal Hills: History Being Flattened
Located in Jharkhand’s Sahibganj and Pakur districts, the Rajmahal Hills are older than the Himalayas and home to rare Jurassic-era fossils. Today, they are ground zero for rampant illegal stone mining.
Petitions before the NGT and local investigations reveal a shocking reality—hills that still appear on maps have been flattened on the ground. In 2023–24, the tribunal described Jharkhand as witnessing “environmental lawlessness”. Many crushers operate without environmental clearance, often with alleged administrative support.
The damage extends to the Ganga, which flows nearby. Dust and debris from mining have severely affected the river ecosystem. Recent enforcement agency raids uncovered an illegal mining network worth over ₹1,000 crore, underscoring how mountains here have been reduced to commodities.
4. Vindhya Range: Stronghold of Stone Mafia
Spanning parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the Vindhya region—especially Bundelkhand—has become synonymous with illegal sandstone and granite mining.
In Sonbhadra and Mirzapur, often called India’s energy hub, the Kaimur hills are riddled with quarry scars. Wildlife habitats have been destroyed, and forests hollowed out. Around the Panna Tiger Reserve, illegal diamond and stone mining pose a direct threat to conservation efforts.
Despite repeated NGT orders and directions for satellite monitoring, local mining mafias remain powerful. There have been multiple reports of attacks on forest officials, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
5. Himalayas (Shivalik Range): Burden of Development
In the Himalayas, mining is not the biggest danger—unplanned construction is. Road widening, tunnels and mega projects have pushed fragile slopes to breaking point.
The sinking of Joshimath in 2023 became a global warning. Expert committees pointed to excessive construction and tunnelling in unstable terrain. The Supreme Court has since sought studies on the Himalayas’ carrying capacity, but the Centre argues that infrastructure is vital for national security and border access—turning it into a complex environment-versus-security debate.
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The Bigger Picture
On paper, India has strict laws—the Mining Act, Forest Conservation Act and strong NGT orders. On the ground, however, profits from illegal mining are so high that penalties are treated as a cost of business.
The Centre for Science and Environment’s State of India’s Environment report warns that the destruction of hills will worsen landslides and push groundwater levels dangerously low, as mountains play a crucial role in water recharge.
Aravallis get attention because they sit next to the capital. But the silent erosion of the Western Ghats’ biodiversity, the Eastern Ghats’ tribal landscapes and the fossil-rich Rajmahal Hills is a crisis of national scale. Without real enforcement and genuinely sustainable mining practices, India risks losing these mountains—not to time, but to neglect.
