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• Supreme Court directed the proposed Aravalli expert committee to consult environmentalists, scientists and stakeholders before finalising the definition of the Aravalli Hills.
• The court said the panel should remain small and manageable while allowing wider consultations during the review process.
• The matter is linked to concerns over mining activity and environmental protection across Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Gujarat.
• The apex court had earlier kept its previous Aravalli definition order in abeyance after objections from environmental groups and researchers.
• Restrictions on fresh mining leases and renewals in the Aravalli region continue until further orders from the court.
The Supreme Court has directed that the expert committee proposed for redefining the Aravalli Hills and ranges must consult stakeholders and subject experts before submitting its recommendations. The direction came during hearings related to the ecological and legal classification of the Aravalli region, which has remained under judicial scrutiny due to mining and environmental concerns. Advertisement
The bench observed that the committee should not become too large, stating that a panel with around 30 members would be difficult to manage. Instead, the court indicated that a smaller committee of about five to seven members would function more effectively while still consulting environmental experts, scientists, geologists and other stakeholders during the process.
The Centre informed the court that names for the committee had been jointly suggested by the Central Empowered Committee and the amicus curiae. The final structure and members of the panel are expected to be decided shortly.
The case relates to the Supreme Court’s earlier order issued last year, when it accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills based on elevation criteria. Under that framework, only landforms rising at least 100 metres above the local terrain and hill clusters located within 500 metres of each other were treated as part of the Aravalli system.
That definition later faced criticism from environmentalists, researchers and conservation groups, who argued that the criteria could leave several ecologically sensitive areas outside legal protection. Experts also raised concerns that the definition focused heavily on elevation while overlooking geological continuity, biodiversity and ecological importance.
The Aravalli range, considered one of the oldest mountain systems in the world, stretches across Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Gujarat. Over the years, the region has witnessed extensive mining activity, encroachment and urban expansion, leading to repeated legal interventions by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal.
Following objections to the earlier definition, the apex court kept its previous order in abeyance and moved towards forming a fresh expert committee for a scientific reassessment. The court also continued restrictions on fresh mining activity and renewal of mining leases in the region until further directions are issued.
During earlier hearings, the Supreme Court had stressed the ecological significance of the Aravallis, noting that the mountain range plays a major role in controlling desertification, supporting groundwater recharge and maintaining environmental balance in northwestern India.
The proposed committee is expected to examine geological mapping, ecological sensitivity, forest cover and the impact of existing mining operations before recommending a revised framework for defining the Aravalli Hills. The outcome is likely to influence future decisions related to mining permissions, land use and environmental regulation across the region.
Source PTI
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