Delhi: On January 22, 2026, a book titled ‘A New Crisis on the Aravalli’ written by Waterman Rajendra Singh was released at a press conference held at the Women’s Press Club, Delhi. This book presents the true story of the struggle for the Aravalli mountain range. It details the efforts made for the Aravalli from 1980 to the present day. In 1991, Waterman Rajendra Singh obtained an order from the Supreme Court to stop mining, as a result of which all mining operations in the entire Aravalli range were stopped by 1994.
This book describes this entire narrative along with the new crisis that has emerged.Waterman Rajendra Singh said that this book is extremely useful for people who want to understand the crisis facing the Aravalli. It is also essential for all those who believe that the Aravalli is unnecessary and that a new world can be created by cutting it down and earning billions.
Such people must read this book, as it will help them understand that the Aravalli is not just a pile of stones, but a confluence of living cultures. The Aravalli has been the center of many civilizations such as Braj, Mewat, Matsya, Dhundhar, Magra Mewar, Bagad, Marwar, Hadoti, Mewar, and Dang. If mining continues in the Aravalli, all these civilizations will be destroyed, and our identity, our pride, and our dignity will be lost. Therefore, it is essential to read this book and join the movement to save the Aravalli.
Following this, the launch of the Aravalli Conservation Yatra (journey) was announced. Those present at the press conference stated that this journey will cover a distance of 700 kilometers and will be completed in 40 days, passing through 4 states. During this journey, interactions will be held with communities living in the lap of India’s oldest mountain range, so that the struggles of rural life in the Aravalli and the importance of the Aravalli can be made known to the whole world.
Neelam Ahluwalia of People for Aravali raised several questions regarding the legal aspects related to the Aravalli range, while environmentalist Kailash Meena from Sikar highlighted the importance of the Aravalli hills.Lokesh from Bhiwani stated that approximately 80 percent of Haryana has been deprived of the Aravalli mountains. As a result, the water in 3500 villages is no longer potable. Excessive arsenic levels are causing kidney problems among the people.
Mining blasts are causing cracks in houses, agricultural yields have been halved, and people are being forced to migrate.Kusum Rawat from the Tribal Unity Council, Gujarat, emphasized the need for this campaign, stating that if these mountain ranges disappear from Gujarat to Delhi, we will not be able to survive.
Virendra Mor from Alwar explained that mining in the blocks within the tiger reserve area would devastate many villages, therefore, the conservation of the Aravalli range is extremely crucial.
