Mon Dec 29 10:20:16 UTC 2025: News Article:

Supreme Court Stays Order on Aravalli Definition, Government Reaffirms Commitment to Protection

New Delhi – December 29, 2025: The Supreme Court has issued a stay on its previous order accepting a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges, a move welcomed by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. The original order, issued on November 20th, accepted a definition recommended by a Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) committee and placed a ban on new mining leases within the Aravalli region spanning Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

The court also proposed the formation of a high-powered committee composed of domain experts to conduct a comprehensive examination of the Aravalli issue.

Minister Yadav expressed his support for the Supreme Court’s decision, emphasizing the government’s commitment to protecting and restoring the Aravalli range. He reiterated that the complete ban on mining remains in effect for new and renewed mining leases.

The previous court decision accepted the MOEFCC committee’s recommendation to define an Aravalli Hill as any landform in designated districts exceeding 100 meters in elevation, with an Aravalli Range defined as a collection of two or more such hills within 500 meters of each other. The Aravalli mountain system is the oldest in the world. The Supreme Court’s decision to reconsider the definition signals a renewed focus on the complexities surrounding its preservation and sustainable use.

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