In a significant development concerning the preservation of the Aravalli range, the Supreme Court of India has stayed its own previous order regarding the definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges. The court has decided to revisit the contentious issue of what constitutes the Aravallis and proposed forming a new expert panel to comprehensively examine questions relating to their height and permissible mining in the region.
The decision, made on Monday, December 29, 2025, came amidst concerns that the accepted definition of the Aravallis might be misconstrued, potentially leading to unregulated mining activities in the ecologically sensitive zone. A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant, Justice J.K. Maheshwari, and Justice A.G. Masih, expressed the need for a fair, impartial, and independent expert opinion before enforcing the committee's recommendations or issuing final directions.
The Supreme Court's earlier ruling on November 20, 2025, had accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges based on the recommendations of a committee from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). This definition specified that an "Aravalli Hill" would be any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 meters or more above its local relief, and an "Aravalli Range" would be a cluster of two or more such hills within 500 meters of each other. The ruling also imposed a ban on granting fresh mining leases in the Aravalli areas spanning Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat until expert reports were finalized.
The recent stay order indicates a potential re-evaluation of the definition, taking into account the environmental impact of the previous panel's recommendations. The court noted that the earlier committee was primarily composed of bureaucrats, highlighting the need for a more diverse expert panel. Notices have been issued to the central government and the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Delhi, seeking their responses in the suo motu proceedings.
The Aravalli Hills and Ranges, one of India's oldest geological formations, stretch from Delhi through Haryana and Rajasthan to Gujarat. Historically recognized across 37 districts, they serve as a natural barrier against desertification from the north and play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity and recharging groundwater. The case, titled “IN RE: DEFINITION OF ARAVALLI HILLS AND RANGES AND ANCILLARY ISSUES”, underscores the ecological, developmental, and legal debates surrounding this vital geographical feature. The next hearing is scheduled for January 21, 2026.
