The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the controversy surrounding the definition of the Aravalli Hills and related environmental issues. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant will hear the matter on Monday.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India is set to hear on Monday the case concerning the controversial definition of the Aravalli Hills and mountain ranges, along with other related environmental issues. The matter has been taken up suo motu (on its own motion) by the apex court, highlighting the seriousness of concerns surrounding the fragile Aravalli ecosystem.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice JK Maheshwari, and Justice AG Masih will hear the case. It has been officially listed as “Definition of Aravalli Hills and Mountain Ranges and Related Issues.”
Background of the Aravalli Hills Controversy
The controversy erupted after the Union government notified a new definition of the Aravalli Range, a move that environmental activists, scientists, and conservationists strongly opposed. Critics argue that the revised definition could potentially exclude large areas from environmental protection, thereby opening vast stretches of the ancient and ecologically sensitive mountain range to mining and commercial exploitation.
The Aravalli Range, one of the oldest mountain systems in the world, plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, preventing desertification, recharging groundwater, and acting as a natural barrier against the expansion of the Thar Desert.
In response to these concerns, the Supreme Court has put a temporary stay on granting new mining leases in the Aravalli region. The court has directed that no fresh approvals be given until a comprehensive and scientifically backed management plan for sustainable mining is prepared.
Case Title:
IN RE: DEFINITION OF ARAVALLI HILLS AND RANGES AND ANCILLARY ISSUES vs.
SMW(C) 10/2025
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