Aravalli Hills Hearing: Supreme Court stays order restricting definition of Aravalli Range amid controversy

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New Delhi: In the latest development in the Aravalli range case, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed its November 20 verdict stating that certain clarifications were necessary regarding the definitions the top court approved for the region. While hearing the suo motu case on the definition, amid major controversy and protests, the Apex Court stated that a panel of experts should review and examine the environmental impact of the recommendations given by the earlier committee.

The bench including Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices JK Maheshwari and AG Masih stayed the November 20 verdict on the Aravalli region. The verdict was based on the recommendations of a committee created to define the Aravalli range for regulating mining activities.

It is to be noted that the case follows last most order in which the Supreme Court accepted the scientific definition of the Aravalli, restricting new mining leases in across Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan until the reports given by the experts are finalised.

The country’s top country observed that an independent expert review and assessment is necessary before imposing the earlier report by the committee or the court’s judgement on the case.

Chief Justice stated that an objective review was necessary to guide the court on crucial issues related to focussed on limiting the Aravalli range to 500-metre belt.

The court questioned whether this limited definition resulted in a ‘structural paradox’ by decreasing the conservation area while allowing fresh mining in additional locations.

Highlighting the need to safeguard and preserve the ecological continuity of the region, SC asserted that it must be thoroughly reviewed how to maintain the ancient hill system.

“We propose that a high-powered expert committee comprising domain experts be constituted to analyse the report submitted by the expert committee,” the Chief Justice said. It also made it clear that scientific expertise must guide future judgement.

Meanwhile, Congress veteran leader Jairam Ramesh praised SC’s judgement to put a stay on its earlier order. The court also termed it a major setback for the ruling government’s attempt to redefine Aravalli, which is an ecologically sensitive region.