New Delhi:
In a significant development amid growing nationwide concern, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed its own earlier order that had accepted a revised definition of the Aravalli Hills based on recommendations of the Central Government. The court said the definition raises multiple unresolved issues and requires deeper examination.
A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, directed that its November 20 order on the Aravalli definition be kept “in abeyance for the time being” and announced that the matter will now be heard in detail on January 21, 2026.
“We direct that the recommendations of the committee and the subsequent findings of this Court shall remain in abeyance for now, as several concerns require further investigation,” the Chief Justice observed.
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Fresh High-Level Committee Proposed
The bench also proposed the constitution of a new high-level expert committee to reassess the recommendations of all previous panels that have examined the definition of the Aravalli Hills. The Supreme Court asked Attorney General R. Venkataramani to assist the court, including on the composition and mandate of the proposed committee.
The matter came up after the court took suo motu cognizance of the controversy surrounding its earlier order, following widespread protests and representations from environmental groups, civil society members and political leaders across North India.
Background: Controversial Redefinition
The controversy stems from the Supreme Court’s acceptance of a new definition of the Aravalli Range, which defined Aravalli Hills as any landmass that is at least 100 metres higher than the surrounding area. It also stated that two or more hills within a 500-metre radius, along with the land between them, would be considered part of the Aravalli range.
Environmentalists and conservationists warned that such a height-based definition could exclude vast stretches of ecologically critical low-lying hills covered with scrub vegetation, potentially opening them up to mining and construction activities.
Protests Across North India
Following the court’s November order, protests erupted in several cities, including Gurugram and Udaipur, with participation from farmers, local residents, environmental activists, lawyers and political groups. Demonstrators argued that the revised definition undermined decades of conservation efforts aimed at protecting one of the world’s oldest mountain systems.
Neelam Ahluwalia, coordinator of the Aravalli Heritage People’s Campaign, told the BBC that the Supreme Court’s latest move was a response to sustained public pressure. “The court has now ordered a detailed independent study on the impact of the new definition. The public movement to protect the Aravallis will continue,” she said.
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Ecological Significance Highlighted
Stretching across Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Delhi, the Aravalli Range is considered crucial for preventing desertification, recharging groundwater and sustaining livelihoods in north-west India.
Environmental activist Vikrant Tongad said defining the Aravallis solely by height ignores their broader ecological role. “Internationally, mountain systems are identified by the functions they enable, not by arbitrary height scales,” he said, adding that even low-lying hills play a vital role in climate resilience and wildlife connectivity.
Experts argue that scrub-covered hills are essential for soil conservation, groundwater recharge and employment for local communities. Activists have demanded that the Aravalli region be defined using scientific parameters, including geology, ecology, biodiversity corridors and climate impact.
Political Reactions
Opposition parties also weighed in, warning of long-term environmental damage. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said protecting the Aravallis was inseparable from safeguarding Delhi’s future. Rajasthan Congress leader Tika Ram Julli described the range as the “lifeline” of the state, warning that without it, large areas up to Delhi could turn into desert.
Centre Defends Its Stand
The Central Government, however, has maintained that the revised definition was intended to strengthen regulations and bring uniformity across states. In a statement, the Union Environment Ministry said a clear, objective definition was necessary to regulate mining consistently.
The ministry clarified that the definition includes slopes, surrounding lands and intervening areas to protect entire mountain systems and their interconnections. It also rejected claims that mining would automatically be permitted on land below 100 metres in height.
Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav earlier stated that no new mining leases would be granted in the Aravalli range, and existing leases could continue only under strict sustainable mining norms. Mining remains completely banned in protected forests, eco-sensitive zones and wetlands, though limited exceptions exist for strategic and atomic minerals as permitted by law.
According to the government, only about 2% of the Aravalli range, spread over nearly 1.47 lakh square kilometres, could potentially be considered for mining, and that too after detailed studies and statutory approvals.
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What Lies Ahead
Despite the stay, several activist groups have said protests will continue and legal options remain open. The Supreme Court’s decision to revisit the issue and appoint a fresh expert panel has, however, provided temporary relief to conservationists.
The January 21 hearing is expected to be crucial in determining how India balances environmental protection with regulatory clarity for one of its most fragile and historically significant ecosystems.
Story: Environment Desk | BlazeB
Pics Courtesy: Unsplash.com
Disclaimer: Due to copyright issues, pictures shown in this article are not the original Aravalli range.
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