Supreme Court Clarifies Aravalli Hills Redefinition Controversy
The Supreme Court has intervened in the contentious issue of the Aravalli Hills' redefinition, halting the Environment Ministry's proposal. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh criticized the government's intentions, claiming it threatens the sensitive ecosystem vital for several states. Ashok Gehlot welcomed the court's decision, emphasizing public sentiment against the government's actions. This ruling has significant implications for the region's environmental protection and mining regulations. Read on to discover the full details of this pivotal legal decision and its impact on the Aravalli ecosystem.
Dec 29, 2025, 15:11 IST
Supreme Court's Ruling on Aravalli Hills
On Monday, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh stated that the Supreme Court has clarified the ongoing dispute regarding the redefinition of the Aravalli Hills and has exposed the actions of the Union Environment Minister. Ramesh mentioned that for several days, the Environment Minister has accused him and Ashok Gehlot, a three-time Chief Minister of Rajasthan, of politicizing the issue of Aravalli's redefinition. Today, the matter has been clarified in the Supreme Court, which has imposed a stay on the redefinition proposed by the Indian government.
Ramesh alleged that the government is intent on destroying the sensitive ecosystem of Aravalli, which is crucial for Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, and particularly for the 19 districts in Rajasthan represented by the Environment Minister. He further noted that while the Minister is busy redefining the boundaries of critical tiger habitats in Sariska Sanctuary, he has accused both Gehlot and himself of playing politics, a claim that has now been debunked by the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Ashok Gehlot welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to stay its previous ruling from November 20, which had accepted the Environment Ministry's definition of the Aravalli Hills and the Aravalli mountain range. He expressed, “We are very pleased that the Supreme Court has issued a stay order today. We welcome this and hope that the government will also understand the public's sentiment. People from all four states, and indeed from across the country, have joined this movement, taken to the streets, issued statements to the media, and protested in various forms. It is beyond comprehension why the Minister cannot grasp this.”
The Supreme Court has suspended its earlier decision to accept the definition provided by the Environment Ministry regarding the Aravalli Hills and the Aravalli mountain range. The acceptance of this definition in November had placed a significant portion of the Aravalli region under the potential scope of regulated mining activities.