The Supreme Court is set to hold a crucial suo motu hearing on Monday to examine issues surrounding the definition of the Aravalli Hills and related environmental concerns, amid renewed focus on protecting the ecologically fragile mountain range.
According to the causelist published on the apex court’s website, the Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice A.G. Masih will hear the matter titled “In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues” on December 29.
The court has taken up the issue on its own motion following sustained concerns over the preservation of the Aravalli range, which stretches from Delhi to Gujarat and plays a critical role in regional ecology, groundwater recharge and climate moderation. The hearing comes in the backdrop of repeated assurances by the government regarding conservation of the range.
In a related policy development, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has directed state governments to impose a complete ban on granting new mining leases across the Aravalli landscape. The ministry stated that the prohibition applies uniformly across the entire mountain range, regardless of state boundaries.
The MoEF&CC said the decision aims to preserve the Aravallis as a continuous geological ridge and curb unregulated mining activity that has historically contributed to environmental degradation in the region. Illegal mining in parts of the Aravallis has long been flagged by environmentalists and regulatory bodies as a major threat to the fragile ecosystem.
Further strengthening the conservation framework, the ministry has instructed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify additional zones across the Aravalli range where mining should be prohibited, beyond areas already notified under existing restrictions. These zones are expected to be delineated based on ecological sensitivity and geological continuity.
Meanwhile, the issue has also triggered political reactions. Congress leader and former Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has written to Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav raising concerns over the recent redefinition of the Aravalli Hills.
In a letter dated December 28, Ramesh questioned the revised definition, which he said restricts the classification of the Aravalli Hills to landforms with an elevation of 100 metres or more. He described the redefinition as problematic and sought clarification from the ministry on its implications.
Sharing the letter on social media platform X on Sunday, Ramesh stated that the redefinition had raised widespread concerns and that he had posed four specific questions to the environment ministry seeking clarity.
The redefinition issue is among the matters likely to be examined by the Supreme Court during the hearing, given its potential impact on conservation, mining regulation and land-use planning across several states.
The outcome of the hearing is expected to have significant implications for environmental governance and enforcement mechanisms related to the Aravalli range, which is considered one of the oldest mountain systems in the world.
