Overview
- On November 20, the Supreme Court accepted an MoEFCC-backed definition limiting Aravalli protection to hills rising at least 100 metres above local relief and connected within 500 metres.
- The court directed a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining and comprehensive mapping, pausing new mining leases and renewals until the plan is approved, while allowing existing legal operations under safeguards.
- Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot joined the #SaveAravalli campaign and urged reconsideration, and opposition leader Tika Ram Jully called for a mass movement, warning of ecological and groundwater risks.
- Residents rallied in Rajasthan, including in Kotputli, as environmental and health commentators cautioned that declassifying low hills could worsen air quality, accelerate desertification and erode water security.
- New reactions included BJP state chief Madan Rathore urging careful reading of the judgment and pledging environmental precautions, and former Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar questioning any reopening of mining in light of earlier court bans.