Jaipur, Dec. 19 -- Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday voiced strong opposition to the proposed new definition of the Aravalli range, calling it a serious threat to the environmental future of North India. Extending support to the ongoing #SaveAravalli campaign, Gehlot changed 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 social media, Gehlot 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 of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, he said, warning that opening up "gapping areas" or smaller hills for mining and other activities would weaken this barrier, allowing desertification to spread rapidly and causing an abnormal rise in temperatures across North India. Emphasising the role of the Aravalli in controlling air pollution, Gehlot said the hills and forests function as the "lungs" of the National Capital Region and adjoining cities. They help block dust-laden storms and play a crucial role in absorbing pollutants. Expressing deep concern, he said that when air quality in the region is already at alarming levels despite the presence of the Aravalli, imagining the situation without this natural shield is frightening. Highlighting the Aravalli's importance in water conservation, Gehlot said its rocky formations allow rainwater to percolate underground, thereby recharging groundwater aquifers. He warned that the destruction of these hills would lead to an acute drinking water crisis in the coming years, drying up of water sources, loss of wildlife habitats and irreversible damage to the region's ecology. The former CM stressed that from a scientific perspective, the Aravalli is a continuous mountain chain, and its smaller hills are as vital as its higher peaks. "If even a single brick is removed from a wall, the entire structure becomes vulnerable," he said, underlining that fragmenting the range would compromise its protective function. He made an appeal to the Union government and the Supreme Court to reconsider the new definition of the Aravalli in the interest of future generations. He said the mountain range should not be evaluated on the basis of "width" or "height" alone, but on its overall ecological contribution and environmental impact, which is critical for the survival and well-being of North India. Commenting on the matter, BJP spokesperson Ram Lal Sharma said, "The Government of India will not take any decision that is against the interests of the environment, forests or the public. Any decision will be taken in the larger public interest, keeping the future in mind." 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."...