By Admin 
The Supreme Court heard the case related to the definition of Aravalli Hills and Range on Monday (December 29, 2025) and stayed its old order. Chief Justice Surya Kant said, ‘It is necessary to consider whether controlled mining will be allowed in these 500 meter gaps. If so, what exact structural standards will be adopted to ensure that ecological sustainability is not affected?
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of this matter amid the controversy over the definition and range of Aravalli Hills. Along with CJI Surya Kant, Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Augustine George Masih are also included in the bench. The court has put a stay on the earlier decision of the Supreme Court for the time being.
On 20th, the Supreme Court had approved a uniform and scientific definition of the Aravalli hills and range. Also, a ban was put on granting new mining leases in the Aravalli region spread over Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat until the experts’ report came.
The CJI said that it should also be decided whether 1,048 hills out of 12,081 meet the 100 meter height criteria is factually and scientifically correct or not. It will also have to be determined whether geological investigation is necessary.
CJI Surya Kant said that thereafter, the Supreme Court proposes to constitute a high-level expert committee to assess the report for a comprehensive examination of the above mentioned questions. He said that at the same time, the areas to be excluded from the Aravalli region should be identified in detail and it should also be examined whether such exclusion increases the risk of erosion while compromising the ecological integrity of the Aravalli mountain range.
On behalf of the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that before constituting the committee, the honorable courts will have to determine which areas the committee will investigate. CJI Surya Kant said that we consider it necessary that the recommendations of the committee and the instructions of this court be kept in abeyance for the time being. This moratorium will remain in effect until the formation of the committee. Notice is issued for 21st January. SG Tushar Mehta said that notice has been issued to the states not to carry out any further mining activity.
Former forest conservation officer RP Balwan has also filed a petition in this regard. RP Balwan says that the height scale of 100 meters for the Aravalli hills will weaken the efforts to conserve this vast mountain range. The Aravalli range extends from Gujarat to Delhi and acts as a wall between the Thar Desert and the northern plains. Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav says that no new mining lease will be given until a management plan is prepared for sustainable mining in Aravali.
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