The Supreme Court of India has voiced serious concerns regarding the extensive illegal mining activities occurring in the Aravali range, a crucial natural barrier that spans across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi, and plays a vital role in preventing the desertification of the Gangetic plains. On Wednesday, the court reserved its verdict on establishing a uniform definition for the Aravali range, a move aimed at strengthening its protection.
The court-appointed expert committee's report suggested focusing on enabling mining in the Aravalis rather than prioritizing stringent protective measures, according to K. Parameshwar, a senior advocate and amicus curiae. Parameshwar stressed the importance of conserving the Aravali range and restoring its original state. While he clarified that he wasn't advocating for a complete mining ban, he emphasized the need for comprehensive protection.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice B. R. Gavai and Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N. V. Anjaria, acknowledged that imposing a total ban often leads to increased illegal mining. The bench noted instances where entire hillocks in the Aravali range had been reduced to rubble and roads were illegally constructed in the Nuh district to facilitate the clandestine transport of mined minerals from Haryana to Rajasthan.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati commended the amicus curiae's dedication to protecting the Aravali Range. She stated that the Supreme Court-appointed committee addressed every concern while providing strict guidelines for regulated mining, adhering to the principle of sustainable development. The bench concurred with her.
The committee's report stipulated that all hillocks exceeding 100 meters in height (from mean sea level) and their slopes should be protected.
The Supreme Court had previously addressed the issue of varying definitions of the Aravali range across different states. In May 2024, the court directed Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat to refrain from granting final permissions for mining activities in the Aravali hills and ranges until further notice. This order, however, did not prohibit legal mining activities already operating with valid permits and licenses. The court had also noted that a report by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) highlighted illegal mining activities in Rajasthan.
In light of these issues, the Supreme Court had directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, along with the governments of Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat, to develop a uniform definition for the Aravalli hills.
In October 2025, the high-level committee, led by the Union environment secretary, submitted its report to the court, proposing that any slope exceeding 100 meters in height from the top should be classified as Aravalli hills. The committee recommended that no new mining leases be granted within the designated Aravalli Hills and Ranges, except for critical, strategic, and atomic minerals, to ensure sustainable mining. It also suggested identifying core areas within these ranges where mining should be completely prohibited.
The lack of a consistent definition has contributed to the depletion of the hills. While some states defined a no-mining zone as 100 meters from the Aravalli slopes, Rajasthan prohibited mining on isolated hills up to 100 meters in height, and Haryana had no definition in place. A Forest Survey of India (FSI) report in 2018 documented rampant illegal mining, revealing the disappearance of 31 hillocks across more than 3,000 sites in Rajasthan and Haryana. The CEC and FSI have advocated for a definition of the Aravalli Hills that includes the hills and a uniform 100-meter buffer zone in the downslope areas.
The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the urgent need to protect the Aravali range, balancing environmental preservation with sustainable development. The court's final verdict on a uniform definition is expected to have significant implications for the future of mining and conservation efforts in the region.
