New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday placed in abeyance its earlier directions revising the definition of the Aravalli Hills, saying the court’s observations and an expert committee report were being misconstrued and required further clarification before any implementation.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih said the matter involved sensitive ecological and legal questions and therefore needed deeper examination. The court issued notice in the suo motu case and listed it for further hearing on January 21.
As per media reports, the appex court also indicated that it may constitute a high-powered expert committee to look into key issues, including the implications of defining hills based on height, the ecological continuity of the Aravalli range and the regulatory framework for mining and land use in the region.
The order effectively pauses its November 20 ruling which had narrowed the definition of the Aravalli Hills to landforms rising at least 100 metres above the surrounding area. Environmental groups and sections of the Opposition had warned that such a classification could strip protection from large stretches of the ancient mountain system, potentially opening them up to mining and real estate activity.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav welcomed the court’s decision, saying the government would fully assist the proposed expert committee. He also underlined that the ban on new mining leases, as well as renewals of existing leases in the Aravalli region, would continue to remain in force.
Reacting to the Supreme Court’s decision, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the stay order was a welcome step and stressed that any policy concerning the Aravalli range must be framed with a long-term environmental perspective. He urged the Union Environment Minister to prioritise ecological protection and warned that expanding mining activities across the Aravallis — including in ecologically sensitive areas such as Sariska — would pose serious risks for future generations.
The Aravalli issue has seen intense public debate in Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and Gujarat, with activists arguing that the fragile mountain system plays a crucial role in groundwater recharge and in slowing the spread of the Thar Desert. The Supreme Court’s decision to reopen the matter suggests a broader review of how ecological systems are classified and conserved in India.
