The Supreme Court is set to hear a case concerning the definition of the Aravalli Hills and ranges after widespread protests erupted across multiple states. The court has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter following public concern over its earlier decision approving a uniform definition of the Aravalli region.
A three-judge bench comprising the Chief Justice of India and two other judges will hear the case titled “In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues.” The hearing comes a little over a month after the court accepted a standard definition proposed by an expert committee.
Under the approved definition, an “Aravalli Hill” is described as any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above local relief, while an “Aravalli Range” is defined as a group of two or more such hills located within 500 metres of each other. The ruling also imposed a ban on granting new mining leases in the Aravalli region spanning Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, until further expert reports are reviewed.
At the same time, the court allowed existing mining operations to continue, provided they strictly follow environmental guidelines and committee recommendations. It also directed authorities to take stronger action against illegal mining in the entire Aravalli region.
The decision triggered protests from environmental activists, students, lawyers, and social organisations, who argued that the definition could allow mining in areas with hills below 100 metres, potentially harming the fragile ecological balance of the Aravallis. Demonstrations were held in several regions with slogans highlighting the importance of conserving the mountain range.
In response to these concerns, the Supreme Court has decided to re-examine the issue, with the upcoming hearing expected to address environmental, legal, and administrative implications of the definition.
Photo by Subhashish Panigrahi, via wikimedia commons
