Overview
- Chief Justice Surya Kant’s bench asked ASG Aishwarya Bhati, amicus K. Parameshwar and other parties to propose environmental, scientific and mining experts within four weeks for a multi‑disciplinary committee working under the court.
- The stay on the November 20 elevation‑based definition continues, with the court maintaining earlier interim directions and keeping related mapping and delineation exercises on hold.
- States were directed to stop unauthorised extraction, with Rajasthan’s counsel assuring the court that illegal mining would not be permitted and that offenders would face action.
- The court will examine the definitions of “forests” and “Aravallis” separately and asked the amicus to file a comprehensive note framing issues for the next hearing in four weeks, while discouraging fresh writ petitions.
- Environmental groups announced a 700‑km march from January 24 to oppose the earlier definition and call for stronger protection of the Aravalli range.