India, Dec. 23 -- The Centre's new definition of the Aravalli hills will be applied only to mining and not other sectors, including real estate or development projects, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav said on Monday, as activists escalated their criticism of the move that they said would further endanger the fragile range.

"This definition related to the Aravalli hills is applicable only for mining purposes. It will be used solely in the context of mining. Mining is permitted only in 277.89sqkm out of the 143,577sqkm of the Aravalli area," Yadav said as he addressed a press briefing on the notification for a successive day, amid the swirling pushback.

A central government panel in November defined landforms rising at least 10...