A political firestorm is brewing over the Aravalli range after a Supreme Court order defined its hills, sparking fears of increased mining. The opposition claims the Narendra Modi government will use the order to favour industrialists. Hitting back at a 'targeted misinformation campaign', Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupendra Yadav, stated that 'mining will be possible only in 0.19 of the total forested area.' However, an India Today ground report from Alwar reveals a different reality, showing hills being hollowed out by mining. Activists argue the new 100-metre elevation rule for hills leaves most of the range unprotected, questioning the future integrity of the eco-sensitive zone crucial for protecting the NCR from desertification.