The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of concerns surrounding the definition of the Aravali Range, signaling a renewed judicial examination of an issue that has ignited protests and debate regarding mining and environmental safeguards. A three-judge vacation bench, presided over by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, is scheduled to address the matter on Monday, December 29, 2025.
This decision by the Supreme Court follows widespread apprehension and objections from environmentalists, political groups, and civil society concerning a recent redefinition of the Aravali hills. Concerns have been raised that the revised definition could potentially weaken conservation measures for one of India's oldest mountain ranges and make large parts of the Aravalli range vulnerable to mining and construction activities.
The controversy stems from the Supreme Court's acceptance on November 20, 2025, of a 100-meter height-based definition for identifying Aravali hills for mining-related decisions. According to this definition, a hill is classified as a landform rising 100 meters or more from the lowest enclosing contour, with adjacent hills within 500 meters grouped as a range. Critics argue that this approach could significantly reduce the area officially recognized as Aravali hills, as much of the range is low-lying. Environmentalists and conservationists have warned that this definition could expose extensive landscapes to mining and construction, as a large number of hills may no longer fall under environmental safeguards previously associated with the Aravalli designation.
In response to these concerns, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has taken steps to address some of the issues. The ministry has directed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify additional landforms and zones where mining should be prohibited, extending beyond currently restricted areas. States spanning the Aravali range, including Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, have also been instructed not to grant any new mining leases until a comprehensive Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is finalized. The ministry has reiterated that these measures aim to expand the areas protected from mining, recognizing the Aravallis' critical role in preventing desertification, conserving biodiversity, recharging aquifers, and providing essential environmental services.
The Supreme Court had earlier emphasized that uncontrolled mining in the Aravalli hills poses a "great threat to the ecology of the nation" and directed uniform criteria to safeguard them. The court's intervention in this matter has raised hopes among environmental activists and those concerned about the November 20 verdict, with expectations of a positive shift in the court's stance. The case, titled "In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues," will be heard by a bench including Justices JK Maheshwari and AG Masih, in addition to CJI Surya Kant.
