The Supreme Court Requests Experts’ Report While Staying Its Own Order on Aravalli Range Definition

On Monday, the Supreme Court halted its own ruling from last month that approved a revised definition of the Aravalli mountain range close to Delhi. This ruling, according to campaigners and experts, could allow illegal and uncontrolled mining in large areas of the delicate environment.

A vacation bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant said, “We deem it necessary that the recommendations of the committee and directions of this court be kept in abeyance.”

In addition, the court mandated the creation of a new committee to investigate matters that require further investigation or reexamination in relation to a revised definition of the mountain range.

The federal government and the four states in question—Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, and Haryana—were subsequently notified by the court, which also scheduled the next hearing for January 21.The Supreme Court took suo motu notice of the demonstrations against the revised definition of the Aravallis on Saturday. The controversy started when the center announced the new definition, which scientists and campaigners claimed had been created without sufficient evaluation or public input.

Additionally, they contended that it might expose significant portions of the Aravallis to illicit mining. Before allowing any new mining-related operations in the area, the court ordered the center to create a thorough strategy for sustainable mining in November. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta argued on behalf of the center today, pointing out that the plan was approved by the court last month.

The Chief Justice, however, countered by saying, “… we feel the committee report and court observations are being misconstrued… some clarifications are required… (and) prior to implementation, a fair, impartial, and independent expert opinion must be considered.”

“Such a step is essential to provide definitive guidance… it should be determined if this (the new definition) has broadened the scope of non-Aravalli areas…thereby facilitating continuation of unregulated mining,” the Chief Justice said.

“We propose to constitute a high-powered committee to undertake assessment of the report… a detailed identification of territories that will be excluded from the Aravalli area (and) whether such exclusion risks degradation thereby compromising ecological integrity of the range…”

On Christmas Day the centre ordered a complete ban on new mining leases in the Aravallis.

The Center stated that state governments must make sure that all environmental safeguards and the Supreme Court’s order are strictly followed for the mines that are currently in operation.

The 670-kilometer Aravallis range begins close to Delhi and travels across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana. With a two-billion-year age, it is the oldest fold-mountain belt in India.