An aerial view of Aravalli Range in Haryana.
| Photo Credit: ANI
The Supreme Court of India on Monday (December 29, 2025) stayed the implementation of its earlier directions and an expert committee report concerning the definition of the Aravalli Hills, citing concerns that the revised definition may be misconstrued and could facilitate unregulated mining in ecologically sensitive areas.
A Bench led by Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih, said a fair, impartial and independent expert opinion must be obtained before any report or court direction is implemented.
The CJI said it would revisit, seek clarifications on whether the restriction of Aravallis to landforms of 100-metre or higher would lead to unregulated mining.
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In November, the apex court had directed the Centre to prepare a Comprehensive Management Plan for Sustainable Mining before permitting any new mining activity in the region. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that while a committee report had earlier been accepted, its implementation was contingent on court approval and expert assessment.
The Bench said it proposes to constitute a high-powered expert committee to examine the definition of the Aravalli range. Notices have been issued to all stakeholders, with the Attorney General and senior advocate P. Parmeshwar requested to assist the court on the committee’s composition.
The court ordered that the committee recommendations and its earlier directions will remain in abeyance until the new committee is constituted. The matter will be heard next on January 21.
Published – December 29, 2025 01:05 pm IST
