India, Dec. 22 -- A recent Supreme Court ruling permitting mining activity in Aravalli hill areas below 100 metres has triggered widespread concern across the Mewat region, with residents and activists warning that the decision could threaten the survival of more than 40 villages in Haryana's Nuh district and dozens more in neighbouring Rajasthan.

Residents allege that the ruling opens up ecologically sensitive Aravalli tracts to mining and commercial exploitation, posing risks to forests, groundwater sources and human settlements. In response, the Mewat RTI Manch has submitted memoranda through the Naib Tehsildar of Nagina to the President of India, the Prime Minister of India, the Union home minister, state governors, the High Court an...