The Supreme Court is set to hold a suo motu hearing regarding the definition of the Aravalli Hills, focusing on protecting the ecologically sensitive range. The Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih, will address the issues on December 29. This initiative comes amidst worries about safeguarding the Aravalli range and the government’s commitment to its preservation.
In a significant step to combat illegal mining and enhance environmental conservation, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has instructed state governments to halt the issuance of new mining leases in the Aravallis. This ban will be uniformly enforced across the entire Aravalli landscape, spanning from Delhi to Gujarat. The primary goal is to maintain the range’s geological integrity and halt unauthorized mining activities.
To further bolster conservation efforts, the Ministry has tasked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education with identifying additional zones within the Aravalli range where mining activities should be prohibited. This move aims to supplement the existing restrictions imposed by the central government.
Former Environment Minister and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has raised concerns about the recent redefinition of the Aravalli Hills. He criticized the new classification, which limits the hills to landforms with elevations of 100 meters or more. Ramesh addressed these issues in a letter to Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, seeking clarification on the matter.
