SC calls for immediate halt to illegal mining in Aravallis

Claims suggesting only about 1,048 of Rajasthan’s 12,081 hills meet the 100-metre threshold, if scientifically accurate, pointed to a serious regulatory vacuum

- Utkarsh Anand

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed states, especially Rajasthan, to ensure the immediate stoppage of illegal mining and felling of trees in the ecologically sensitive Aravalli range, even as it clarified that a high-powered panel of independent domain experts would soon be constituted to comprehensively reexamine issues arising from its earlier judgment that narrowed the definition of the Aravallis to landforms rising at least 100 metres above the surrounding terrain.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant continued its stay on the court's November 20 judgment, as well as the recommendations of a court-appointed committee that had triggered a mapping and delineation exercise by the Centre and states based solely on the elevation criterion — an exercise meant to serve as the foundation for future mining decisions in the region.

The bench, also comprising justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, underscored that while regulatory frameworks may exist, “indiscriminate mining cannot be allowed”, warning that illegal activity in the Aravallis leads to “irreversible consequences and destructive results”.

“Any illegal activity has to be stopped immediately,” the bench told the Union government and the state of Rajasthan, after senior advocate Raju Ramachandran flagged ongoing instances of illegal mining and felling of trees in the region despite prohibitory directions issued by the court.

Responding to the concern, additional solicitor general K M Nataraj, appearing for Rajasthan, assured the court that the state would act promptly if any such instance was brought to its notice.