NEW DELHI: On Friday, the Supreme Court announced that it will not issue any orders favoring mining lease holders at this time, citing “quite disturbing” feedback regarding mining activities in the Aravalli hills and ranges.
The apex court highlighted specific ecological concerns and, as of February, requested the environment ministry and relevant stakeholders to propose experts for a panel aimed at defining the Aravalli hills and ranges.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, stated, “We will not hear this matter in a piecemeal manner. We will not allow any activity until we are fully satisfied,” following the mention of the case listed for hearing on Friday.
The court is addressing a suo motu case titled “In Re: Definition of Aravalli hills and ranges and ancillary issues.”
“There are numerous developments occurring in that area. The feedback we are receiving is quite alarming,” the Chief Justice remarked.
The bench advised the lawyer who referenced the matter that if any mining lease is revoked, the affected party has the right to contest the decision.
“We will not grant any orders in favor of the mining lease holders at this time. This is a sensitive issue,” the bench reiterated.
On November 20, 2025, the Supreme Court approved a standardized definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges, prohibiting new mining leases in the regions spanning Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat until expert reports are available. This decision was made in response to recommendations from a ministry committee intending to safeguard the world’s oldest mountain system.
The committee proposed that an “Aravalli Hill” be defined as any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of at least 100 meters above its local relief, while an “Aravalli Range” is defined as a collection of two or more such hills situated within 500 meters of each other.
On December 29, the Supreme Court acknowledged the public outcry regarding the new definition of the Aravallis and temporarily stayed its November 20 directions. It also suspended all mining activities, citing the necessity to clarify “critical ambiguities,” such as whether the elevation and proximity criteria would jeopardize environmental protections.
Previously, the Supreme Court indicated that the earlier committee’s report and ruling seemed to have “failed to clarify certain vital issues” and emphasized the urgent need for further investigation to prevent regulatory gaps that might threaten the ecological integrity of the Aravalli region.
Furthermore, the court directed that, as per a May 9, 2024 order, no mining permits shall be granted in the ‘Aravalli Hills and Ranges’, as delineated in the August 25, 2010, FSI report, without prior approval.
“Environmentalists have raised significant concerns regarding the potential for misinterpretation and improper implementation of the newly adopted definition and this court’s directives,” the bench noted.
