SC puts its own ruling on Aravalli redefining in abeyance

Noting that certain clarifications were needed regarding the definition of Aravalli Hills it recently approved, the Supreme Court on Monday ordered to keep in abeyance its November 20 ruling that was based on a committee's recommendations.

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A three-judge special vacation Bench led by CJ| Surya Kant decided to set up a new high-powered committee of domain experts to examine the environmental impact of the recommendations made by the earlier committee. The composition of the new panel has not been announced.

The Bench noted that there had been a significant outcry among environmentalists, who had expressed profound concern about the potential for misinterpretation and improper implementation of the newly adopted definition and this court's directions. It said, “This public dissent and criticism appear to stem from the perceived ambiguity and lack of clarity in certain terms and directives issued by this court. Consequently, there is a dire need to further probe and clarify to prevent any regulatory gaps that might undermine the ecological integrity of the Aravalli region.”

“While we have no scientific reasons justifying any ex-facie acceptance of the same, it seems prima facie that both the committee's report and the judgment of this court have omitted to expressly clarify certain critical issues,” said the Bench, which also included Justice J K Maheshwari and Justice AG Masih.