Aravalli controversy Supreme Court : The Supreme Court has stayed the November 20 decision in the Aravalli case. The court also asked several questions to the central government during the hearing. It said that the government should clearly state whether mining in the Aravalli area will continue or be stopped. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for January 21, 2026.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court also temporarily stayed all the recommendations made by the committee constituted on the Aravalli issue. Notices were also issued to the central government and four state governments. The court has now directed to form a high level committee in this matter.
During the hearing in the Aravalli case, Chief Justice Suryakant said that some of the court’s observations were being misinterpreted, and therefore, the situation needed to be clarified clearly.
The CJI further said that an impartial and comprehensive report is necessary before implementing the November 20 order. He also said that the precise definition of the Aravalli Hills and the Aravalli Range, the status of areas above 500 meters, whether mining would be completely banned or permitted with certain conditions, and there remained serious ambiguity as to what was the scope of this ban.
What is the whole Aravalli controversy?
In fact in a report the Forest Survey of India (FSI) identified around 10,000 hills in the Aravalli region as part of the Aravalli range. It also recommended a ban on mining activities in these areas. Following this report, the Bhajan Lal government of Rajasthan approached the Supreme Court.
The state government argued that if the report was fully implemented, most of the mining activities in the state would cease. After hearing the arguments of the state government, the Supreme Court said that a new law is required to address the issue, and till then the old system can be maintained.
What is the 100-meter controversy over Aravalli?
In fact, a new limit has been set to define the Aravalli range. Simply put, now only hills 100 meters or more high will be considered Aravalli. Hills less than 100 meters in height will not be classified as forest.
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This definition is being contested because it is alleged that many mining companies are recording hills 100 meters or more high as 60 or 80 meters high in order to obtain mining permits.