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2d ago

Supreme Court Pauses Aravalli Hill Definition, Schedules January Review

The bench moved to re-examine the 100‑metre threshold after conservation concerns and street protests over potential loss of protection for lower ridges.

Referring to the long-running environmental litigation in TN Godavarman Thirumulpad case, the Supreme Court delivered a 29-page judgement in the suo motu matter.
The top court decided to revisit the contentious issue of what constitutes the Aravallis and proposed forming an expert panel to comprehensively examine questions.
The Aravalli hills act as a vast, fractured rock sponge that captures monsoon rain and recharges groundwater aquifers. (HT Archive)
A joint check, experts argued, will not meet these standards, impinge on each department’s autonomy and will water down a crucial process baked into law to safeguard forests and green spaces. (HT Photo)

Overview

  • At a special vacation sitting, a bench led by CJI Surya Kant heard the suo motu case on the Aravalli classification and listed it next for January 21, 2026.
  • The court kept the November 20 elevation-based definition in abeyance pending review and issued notices to the concerned states, according to multiple reports.
  • CNBC-TV18 reported the bench directed states to prevent mining activities until a committee is formed, adding to an existing ban on fresh mining leases.
  • The November 20 order had adopted a uniform definition—hills rising at least 100 metres above local relief and ranges formed by such hills within 500 metres—and barred new leases until a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining is finalised by MoEF&CC and ICFRE.
  • The environment ministry has already ordered a blanket stop on granting new mining leases and tasked ICFRE with delineation, while politicians and activists, including Jairam Ramesh and Rajendra Singh, have challenged the 100‑metre cutoff, citing FSI data that only about 1,048 of over 12,000 mapped hills meet it.