“Clarifications Are Required Before Implementation,” Says Top Court on Aravalli Definition

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed its own earlier order that had accepted a revised definition of the Aravalli mountain range near Delhi, amid growing concerns that the change could expose environmentally sensitive areas to unregulated mining. The court said the recommendations and directions flowing from its previous order would remain in abeyance until further examination.
A bench led by the Chief Justice observed that an independent and impartial assessment was necessary before any implementation, noting that certain aspects of the committee report and court observations appeared to have been misconstrued. The court ordered the formation of a fresh, high powered expert committee to reassess issues related to the updated definition of the Aravalli range and to determine whether it had altered the scope of protected areas.
The court issued notices to the Union government and the four affected states Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Delhi and fixed January 21 as the next date of hearing.
The matter gained urgency after the court took suo motu cognisance of protests against the revised definition notified by the Centre. Environmental activists and scientists argued that the new classification was introduced without adequate scientific assessment or public consultation. They warned that the changes could potentially open large stretches of the fragile Aravalli ecosystem to illegal and poorly regulated mining activities.
During the hearing, the Centre pointed out that a comprehensive plan for sustainable mining, earlier directed by the court, had already been accepted. However, the bench stressed that before any steps were taken on the ground, expert clarity was essential. The court said it must be determined whether the revised definition had excluded areas that were earlier considered part of the Aravallis and whether such exclusions could lead to ecological degradation.
The newly proposed committee has been tasked with identifying territories that may fall outside the revised definition and examining whether their exclusion poses risks to the ecological integrity of the mountain range.
Separately, the Centre had announced a complete ban on new mining leases in the Aravalli region on Christmas Day. Existing mines have been allowed to operate only under strict adherence to environmental safeguards and court directions.
Stretching nearly 670 kilometres across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat, the Aravalli range is India’s oldest fold mountain system and plays a crucial role in regional ecology and climate stability.