Supreme Court Halts Definition of Aravalli Hills, Environment Minister Welcomes Decision

On Monday, Bhupender Yadav, the Union Environment Minister, expressed his approval of the Supreme Court's recent decision to suspend its earlier ruling from November 20, which had accepted the definition of the Aravalli hills and mountain range proposed by the Ministry of Environment. He reaffirmed his commitment to the conservation and restoration of the mountain range. In a social media post, Yadav stated that he welcomes the Supreme Court's directive to halt the order related to the Aravalli range and to establish a new committee to examine the issues at hand. He emphasized that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is dedicated to providing all possible support for the conservation and restoration of the Aravalli range.

 

Yadav further noted that, as it stands, there remains a complete ban on new mining leases and the renewal of existing mining leases. Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan and Congress leader also welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling. Speaking on the matter, Gehlot expressed his satisfaction, stating that they are pleased with the Supreme Court's decision to impose a stay. He hopes that the government will understand the public's sentiments. Citizens from all four states, and indeed from across the country, have participated in this movement, taking to the streets, issuing statements to the media, and protesting in various forms. It is incomprehensible why the minister fails to grasp this.

The Supreme Court has suspended its previous decision from November 20, which accepted the Ministry of Environment's definition of the Aravalli hills and 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.

 

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, along with Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih, has also ordered the formation of a new expert committee to investigate the issues concerning the definition of the Aravalli range. The court has issued notices to the central government and the four states surrounding the Aravalli - Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, and Haryana - seeking their responses on the matter.