​​Today’s Aaj Ka AQI is from the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, a site spread across 81 hectares in south Delhi. The park lies close to Sanjay Van that is part of the Aravalli range – specifically the South Central Ridge – one of the city’s last remaining natural buffers.

The nearest CPCB monitoring station, at IIT Delhi, recorded an AQI of 164, which falls in the ‘moderate’ category. Our portable air-quality monitor, however, showed a higher reading of 200. Strong winds have brought relief to the AQI levels which were pegged in the ‘very poor’ category in several parts of the capital until Tuesday.

The recent Supreme Court order matters because the Aravallis play a critical role in groundwater recharge and in shielding Delhi from dust. Experts have warned that the change to the definition of the Aravallis could worsen the ecological stress the capital already faces, especially from mining in the region.

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