Supreme Court to Hear Critical Case on Aravalli Hills Conservation on Monday
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The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the definition of Aravalli hills, a critical issue that has sparked controversy. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, is set to hear the case on Monday. The court's decision comes after it accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges, which spans across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. The definition, recommended by a committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), aims to protect the world's oldest mountain system. According to the committee's report, an Aravalli Hill is defined as any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 meters or more above its local relief. An Aravalli Range is a collection of two or more such hills within 500 meters of each other. The Supreme Court had previously banned the grant of fresh mining leases inside Aravalli areas until experts' reports are out. The court also accepted the recommendations for sustainable mining and steps to prevent illegal mining in the region. In its 29-page judgment, the court emphasized the importance of a clear, scientific definition for environmental conservation, regulating land use, and determining permissible mining activities. The Aravalli hills are considered a 'green barrier' that prevents the eastward spread of the Thar desert and supports rich biodiversity. The court has directed the authorities to identify permissible areas for mining and ecologically sensitive, conservation-critical, and restoration priority areas within the Aravalli landscape. No new mining leases will be granted until the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) finalizes the Mining Plan and Sustainable Management (MPSM) in consultation with the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).
