Jaipur, Dec. 22 -- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday slammed the former chief minister Ashok Gehlot for "misleading" people over the poor conservation of Aravalli by the central government as it was his government who proposed to consider only the hills above 100m height under this range. Addressing a press conference in Jaipur, the senior BJP leader and former leader of opposition, Rajendra Rathore, said, "It is unfortunate how Gehlot and other Congress leaders are cornering the central government and misleading the people over the latest judgment passed by the Supreme Court. In 2002, his government proposed these changes to redefine Aravallis as per the Richard Morphy Land Classification, 1968." "In 2010, the Congress government also filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in which they stated that a total 1008 mining leases had been issued to the Aravalli hills above 100m heights. Earlier, in 2003, the Gehlot-led government also directed all the district collectors to conduct a survey based on this new proposed definition to identify suitable spots for mining. Following the survey, over 700 mining leases were also issued during his tenure," he further added. According to Rathore, Gehlot's statement is misinforming as "The Supreme Court did not limit the Aravallis at 100m. In its judgment, the apex court has clearly stated that the boundary contours around those hills at 100m will also be considered in the new definition of Aravallis. Gehlot, after running his governance with this definition for over a decade, is now only trying to politicise the entire matter by opposing it." On Thursday, Gehlot extended his support for the ongoing #SaveAravalli campaign by changing his social media display picture, describing the move as a symbolic protest against attempts to exclude hills below 100 metres in height from being classified as part of the Aravalli range. Taking to X, he also said, the issue goes far beyond a change in terminology and has far-reaching implications for climate balance, water security and public health across several states. He asserted that the changes made in the name of redefining the Aravalli have raised serious concerns about the future of Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and the entire northern region. Appealing to the public, he urged citizens to participate in the campaign by changing their display pictures and raising their voice in favour of protecting the ancient mountain range. Calling the new definition "a direct threat to survival," the former chief minister outlined three major areas of concern: Gehlot said the Aravalli is not an ordinary hill system but a natural "green wall" created by nature over millions of years. It acts as a protective barrier that prevents sand and scorching winds from the Thar Desert from advancing towards the fertile plains. However, Rathore on Sunday, said, "The BJP government is committed to the conservation of Aravallis. The Supreme Court has directed to prepare a map of the Aravallis as per the new definition till when no mining will be permissible. Has it been prepared yet? Why is he (Gehlot) trying to give this issue a political colour now?" Earlier, on November 20, the Supreme Court accepted the Centre's definition of the Aravalli hills, which states that "any hills in the range with an elevation of less than 100 metres are not subject to the strictures against mining." The Supreme Court also accepted the recommendations for sustainable mining in the Aravalli Hills and the steps to be taken for preventing illegal mining....