• Source:JND

Aravalli Hills Row: Amidst controversy regarding the definition of the Aravalli Hills, the Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and is set to hear the case on Monday. The case has been titled In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues.

A three-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice J.K. Maheshwari, and Justice Augustine George Masih, will likely hear the matter on December 29.

Aravalli Hills Controversy: Key Points

- The Supreme Court on November 20 approved a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges and imposed a ban on granting new mining leases within the areas of the Aravalli hills, which span Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. The ban will remain in place until expert reports are submitted.

- The Court had accepted the recommendations of a committee from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), which had proposed the definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges in an effort to protect the world’s oldest mountain system.

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- The committee’s report defined an "Aravalli Hill" as any landform located within designated Aravalli districts, with an elevation of 100 metres or more above the surrounding terrain. An "Aravalli Range" is defined as a collection of two or more such hills within 500 metres of one another.

- The Supreme Court issued a 29-page judgement in the suo motu case, which stemmed from the long-standing environmental litigation in the TN Godavarman Thirumulpad case.

- Additionally, the bench endorsed the committee’s recommendations for sustainable mining practices and measures to curb illegal mining in the Aravalli Hills and Ranges.

- It also directed the authorities to identify permissible areas for "mining and ecologically sensitive, conservation-critical and restoration priority areas within the Aravalli landscape where mining shall be strictly prohibited or permitted only under exceptional and scientifically justified circumstances".

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- The bench further directed that mining can be permitted if sustainable mining is allowed as per the MPSM which will be finalised by MoEF&CC in consultation with the ICFRE.

- Calling the Aravallis a "green barrier" that prevents the eastward spread of the Thar desert and supports rich biodiversity, the court held that a clear, scientific definition was essential for ensuring environmental conservation, regulating land use, and determining permissible mining activities.

( With Inputs from Agencies )


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