Supreme Court stays its recent verdict on Aravalli, says clarification necessary
The Supreme Court of India stayed its November 20, 2025, verdict defining the Aravalli Hills and ranges, citing the need for clarifications amid public outcry from environmentalists.
The court noted ambiguities in the earlier definitions, particularly the “100-meter rule” for hills rising above local terrain, which raised fears of unregulated mining and ecological damage. It responded to widespread protests and challenges, emphasizing a lack of scientific evidence in initial contentions but acknowledging gaps in its prior directions.
A new expert committee, independent of bureaucrats, will assess environmental impacts and recommendations from the previous panel. The November verdict and prior committee findings remain in abeyance until January 21, 2026, with notices issued to the Union and state governments.
The original ruling, by a bench led by then-CJI BR Gavai, accepted a committee’s suggestions to standardize Aravalli definitions and prohibit mining in core areas without a total ban, aiming to curb illegal activities. This stemmed from a 2024 order addressing inconsistent state definitions and illegal mining concerns.
