Sat Dec 27 18:58:47 UTC 2025: News Article:
Supreme Court Takes Notice of Aravalli Hills Redefinition Amid Environmental Concerns
New Delhi, December 27, 2025 – The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognisance of the recent redefinition of the Aravalli Hills following public concerns over potential environmental impact. A three-judge Special Vacation Bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, will hear the matter on Monday.
This action comes after a November judgement where the Apex Court accepted the recommendations of a Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change panel. These recommendations defined the Aravalli Hills as landforms exceeding 100 meters above local relief and an Aravalli Range as clusters of hills within 500 meters of each other.
The court had previously endorsed the panel’s guidelines for sustainable mining in the region, emphasizing the prohibition of new mining leases until a comprehensive Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is finalized by the Ministry through the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE). The court also stressed the need to identify permissible mining zones alongside conservation-critical areas.
However, the court’s earlier agreement with the Ministry panel raised eyebrows, especially considering the acknowledged role of the Aravallis as a vital “green barrier” against the Thar Desert’s eastward expansion. The upcoming hearing will likely address these conflicting points and assess the potential ramifications of the redefinition on the fragile Aravalli ecosystem. The outcome could significantly impact environmental regulations and mining practices in the region.
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