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Supreme Court Puts Aravalli Hills Definition on Hold, Mulls Fresh Expert Panel

The Supreme Court has stayed its earlier directions that provided a revised definition of the Aravalli Hills, citing misinterpretation of the expert committee's report. The bench is considering forming a new high-powered committee to holistically assess all previous recommendations on defining the range and the permissibility of regulated mining. This comes after widespread protests in Rajasthan and a subsequent central government ban on new mining leases in the Aravalli landscape. The court has issued notice in the matter, with further hearings scheduled for late January.

Key Points: SC Puts Aravalli Hills Definition in Abeyance, Seeks Fresh Review

  • Definition put on hold
  • Fresh expert committee mulled
  • Mining licenses halted
  • Ecological assessment needed
  • Protests in Rajasthan
3 min read

'Further clarification needed': SC puts revised Aravalli Hills definition in abeyance, mulls fresh expert committee

Supreme Court stays its revised Aravalli Hills definition, considers a new expert committee to assess mining and ecological impact. Hearings continue in January.

"We deem it necessary that the committee recommendation and directions of this court be kept in abeyance. - Supreme Court Bench"

New Delhi, Dec 29

The Supreme Court on Monday kept in abeyance its earlier directions prescribing a revised definition of the Aravalli Hills.

Observing that the expert committee's report as well as the top court's observations were being misconstrued, a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant said that further clarification was required before the recommendations or judicial directions could be implemented.

The Bench, also comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih, issued notice in the suo motu writ petition titled "Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues," making it returnable on January 21.

"We deem it necessary that the committee recommendation and directions of this court be kept in abeyance. This stay shall remain in effect till the constitution of the (fresh) committee," the apex court ordered.

The CJI-headed Bench mulled constituting a fresh high-powered expert committee to holistically assess the recommendations of all earlier panels on the definition of the Aravalli range.

The proposed committee will examine whether regulated mining can be permitted in the 500-metre gaps between hills and, if so, what structural parameters would be required to ensure that ecological continuity is not compromised.

The apex court stressed that it must be assessed whether the 100‑metre elevation threshold is scientifically sound and if a detailed geological inquiry is needed.

During the hearing, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta informed the bench that directives have already been issued to the Aravalli states to halt all mining activity.

The Centre's second-highest law officer also clarified that directions are in place to ensure that no fresh mining licences are granted in the Aravalli region.

In its order, the Supreme Court also requested Attorney General R. Venkataramani and senior advocate P.S. Parmeswar to assist it, including on the composition of the proposed expert committee.

After the apex court, in an order passed on November 20, ruled that only landforms with an elevation of 100 metres or more would be classified as Aravalli hills, widespread concerns were triggered over the protection of the ecologically fragile range.

Following protests across several districts of Rajasthan, including Udaipur, Jodhpur, Sikar, and Alwar, against the approval of mining activities in the Aravalli mountain range, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change imposed a complete ban on the grant of new mining leases across the Aravalli landscape. It tasked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) with identifying additional no-mining zones and preparing a comprehensive Management Plan for Sustainable Mining for the entire range.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good that they are putting it on hold. But why was such a flawed definition accepted in the first place? It shows a lack of coordination between experts and the judiciary. The new committee must include genuine ecologists from the region, not just bureaucrats.
A
Aman W
The protests in Rajasthan worked! People's voices matter. A complete ban on new mining leases is the first step, but we need permanent protection. The Aravallis are not just rocks, they are a crucial water recharge zone and wildlife corridor. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
S
Sarah B
As someone who has lived in Gurgaon, the degradation of the Aravallis is visible and alarming. The court is right to seek "further clarification." The term "regulated mining" worries me though. In India, regulation often fails on the ground. The priority must be conservation.
V
Vikram M
Balance is key. I understand the need for development and minerals, but not at the cost of an entire ecosystem. If mining must happen in gaps, the "structural parameters" mentioned by the court must be iron-clad and publicly available for scrutiny. No compromises.
K
Karthik V
Finally, some sense prevails. The November order was a disaster in the making. The Aravalli range is ancient and ecologically complex. You can't define it by a simple height metric. Hope the fresh committee takes a holistic view, considering hydrology, biodiversity, and soil stability.

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