SC puts on hold revised Aravalli Hills definition

TOP COURT PAUSES ORDER AMID FEARS MINING COULD HARM ECOSYSTEM

- BY ALEX ABRAHAM

The Supreme Court of India put in abeyance its earlier order accepting a revised definition of the Aravalli Hills, after mounting concerns that the move could open large swathes of the ecologically sensitive range to mining activity.

A three-judge Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih, said yesterday that the expert committee’s report as well as the court’s own observations were being “misconstrued” and required further clarification before any implementation.

“We deem it necessary that the committee recommendation and directions of this court be kept in abeyance. This stay shall remain in effect till the constitution of the (fresh) committee,” the Bench said.

The court issued notice in its suo motu writ petition titled “Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues”, making it returnable on January 21. Notices were also issued to the Centre and the four Aravalli states — Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Delhi.

Centre halts mining activity