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Supreme Court Puts Aravalli Definition on Hold, Forms New Expert Panel

The Supreme Court has stayed its November order that accepted the Central Environment Ministry's definition of the Aravalli Hills, a decision that had exposed much of the region to regulated mining. A vacation bench has also ordered the formation of a new expert committee to examine the issues surrounding the definition. The court issued notices to the Centre and four Aravalli states in a suo motu case, following significant criticism from environmentalists. This development comes despite a recent Union Environment Ministry directive for a complete ban on new mining leases across the entire Aravalli landscape.

Key Points: SC Stays Aravalli Definition Order, Forms New Expert Panel

  • SC stays Nov order on Aravalli definition
  • New expert panel to examine issues
  • Centre's 100-metre height criterion faces criticism
  • Ban on new mining leases across Aravallis
2 min read

SC stays its earlier order on Aravalli definition; forms new expect panel to examine issues

Supreme Court stays its order accepting Centre's Aravalli definition, forms new expert panel. Move follows environmental concerns over mining risks.

"put in abeyance - Supreme Court on its earlier order"

New Delhi, December 29

The Supreme Court has "put in abeyance" its earlier decision to accept the Central Environment Ministry's definition of the Aravalli Hills and Aravalli Range.

The top court's acceptance of the definition in November had exposed most of the Aravalli region to the risk of being used for regulated mining.

A vacation bench of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G Masih has also ordered the formation of a new expert committee to examine issues that required to be examined in terms of the definition of Aravallis.

The Court has also issued notice to the Centre and the four Aravalli States - Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi and Haryana, seeking their response to its suo motu case on the issue.

On Saturday, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of concerns surrounding the definition of the Aravalli Range, amid mounting criticism from environmentalists and opposition parties over its potential impact on the fragile mountain ecosystem.

The development follows objections to the Centre's newly notified definition of the Aravalli mountain range, which is based on a 100-metre height criterion.

On December 24, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) had also issued directions to the States for a complete ban on the Grant of any New Mining Leases in the Aravallis.

This prohibition applies uniformly across the entire Aravalli landscape and is intended to preserve the integrity of the range. The directions are aimed at safeguarding the Aravallis as a continuous geological ridge extending from Gujarat to the National Capital Region and at stopping all unregulated mining activities.

The Aravalli range is a 670-kilometre-long mountain range in northwestern India.

The highest elevation of the range has been recorded at 1,722 metres. The hill starts near Delhi, passes through Haryana, Rajasthan, and ends in Gujarat. The highest peak of the range is known as Guru Shikhar, in Mount Abu, Rajasthan. The Aravalli range is the oldest fold-mountain belt in India, dating back around 2 billion years.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move by SC. But why this back and forth? First they accept the definition, now they put it on hold. Creates uncertainty. The complete ban on new mining leases is the only silver lining here. Hope the states comply strictly.
A
Aman W
As someone from Gurgaon, I've seen the Aravalli degradation firsthand. This range is crucial for groundwater recharge and stopping desertification in NCR. The suo motu notice is a strong step. Justice delayed is justice denied for our environment.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the court taking suo motu cognisance based on public and expert criticism. It shows the system can be responsive. The expert panel's composition will be key – it needs to be transparent and science-based.
V
Vikram M
The MoEF&CC's ban on new mining leases is welcome, but what about existing ones? That's where the real damage happens. The definition should protect the entire ecological system, not just hills over 100m. The committee must think holistically.
K
Karthik V
This is a classic case of development vs environment. While mining provides jobs and resources, the Aravallis are irreplaceable. A balanced approach is needed, but preservation must come first. 2 billion years old! We are just custodians.

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