Gurugram residents write to PM seeking ban on Aravalli mining

Hundreds gathered to flag ecological damage, CAG findings on illegal mining and risks to rivers, aquifers and biodiversity across NCR states.

Published on: Jan 19, 2026, 06:09:57 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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Hundreds of residents gathered in Gurugram on Saturday to demand urgent protection of the Aravalli Range, calling it the city’s last natural shield against rising air pollution, groundwater depletion and ecological collapse. The meeting concluded with participants signing a document addressed to the Prime Minister of India, seeking an “immediate and absolute” halt on mining in the region.

Activists called the hills NCR’s last natural shield, urged no-mining status, native forest restoration and long-term legal safeguards. (HT Photo)

Organised by citizen groups and environmental advocates, the event brought together activists, legal experts and conservationists who flagged ecological and legal concerns linked to mining in the Aravallis. Speakers said the hill range functions as the origin catchment for over 120 rivers and streams across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat, and warned that unchecked mining is disrupting hydrological networks and forest corridors critical for biodiversity.

The document cited findings from Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports on illegal mining and alleged enforcement lapses, urging the Centre to intervene before irreversible damage is caused.

Members of the Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement (ABCM) said sustained community mobilisation was essential to ensure accountability and stronger legal safeguards. One member stressed that restoration efforts must prioritise native species rather than ornamental plantations, cautioning that cosmetic greening cannot substitute natural forest ecosystems.

The gathering also saw strong grassroots interventions from Mangar, where forest defender Sunil Harsana spoke about the prolonged struggle to protect Mangar Bani, often described as one of the last surviving natural forests in the region. “The Aravallis are not just hills; they are our life support system,” said environmentalist and Aravalli Bachao trustee Vaishali Rana, warning that forests and aquifers are nearing a breaking point.

SS Oberoi, who also signed the document, said the campaign aimed to safeguard NCR’s environmental future and public health. “This is not a fringe issue anymore. If we lose the Aravallis, we lose the natural barrier that protects our air, water and climate stability,” he said.

Organisers said the document would be dispatched to the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday, reiterating demands to declare the Aravallis a no-mining zone and explore long-term global protection, including recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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