Supreme Court puts November 20 judgment on Aravalli Hills in abeyance

New Delhi, Dec 29: The Supreme Court on Monday said its November 20 judgment accepting a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills and the recommendations of an expert committee will remain in abeyance for the time being, amid widespread concerns over environmental impact and mining activity.

A vacation bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant took up the matter in a suo motu case titled “In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues” and stayed the implementation of its earlier order, noting that certain observations were being misconstrued and required clarification.

The November 20 ruling had accepted a height-based definition of the Aravalli Hills, identifying them as landforms rising 100 metres or more above local relief, with ranges including connected areas within 500 metres. The court had also banned the grant of fresh mining leases in Aravalli areas spanning Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat, until a sustainable mining management plan is prepared, while prohibiting mining in core or inviolate zones except for limited strategic purposes.

The judgment, however, triggered sharp protests and criticism from environmentalists and political parties, who warned that the restrictive definition could exclude a large portion of the ancient hill range from protection, potentially leading to unregulated mining and ecological damage. The Aravallis are considered critical for groundwater recharge, biodiversity and acting as a natural barrier against desertification.

Taking note of the growing concerns, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the issue on December 27. During Monday’s hearing, the bench sought clarifications from the government on ambiguities in the definition and its implications, and said the November judgment and the expert committee’s recommendations would remain suspended until further orders.

No final decision has been taken yet, but the interim stay provides relief by preventing the immediate application of the definition and any potential opening of lower Aravalli hills to mining and related activities. (Agencies)