Aravalli Definition Row: Supreme Court Pauses Order Amid Mining Fears (2025)

In a major environmental development on December 29, 2025, the Supreme Court of India placed its November 20 verdict regarding the definition of the Aravalli Hills in abeyance (temporary suspension). The move comes after fierce criticism from environmentalists and opposition parties who warned that the newly approved “height-based” criteria could leave vast stretches of the ancient mountain range vulnerable to unregulated mining and real estate.

Add businessleague.in as a Preferred Source

Also Read: Supreme Court Stays Sengar’s Bail: “Substantial Questions of Law” in Unnao Case (2025)

The Controversy: The “100-Metre” Rule

On November 20, 2025, the Supreme Court had accepted a uniform definition proposed by a government-led committee. This definition aimed to resolve decades of regulatory ambiguity across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

The November Definition:

• Aravalli Hill: Any landform with an elevation of 100 metres or more above the local relief.

• Aravalli Range: A collection of two or more such hills located within 500 metres of each other.

The Concern:

Environmentalists argue that this restrictive definition excludes lower, scrub-covered hillocks that are vital for preventing desertification, recharging groundwater, and maintaining wildlife corridors. By labeling these smaller landforms as “non-Aravalli,” the order potentially opened them up for legal mining and construction.

Key Updates from the Dec 29 Hearing

Judicial Observations by CJI Surya Kant

The Bench, which also included Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Augustine George Masih, took suo motu cognisance of the public outcry. The CJI noted that the previous report appeared to be “misconstrued” and required urgent clarification to protect the ecological integrity of the range.

“A fair, impartial, and independent expert opinion must be obtained… We need to examine whether the restrictive demarcation would broaden the scope of areas where unregulated activities could occur.” — Bench of the Supreme Court

Impact on Mining and Real Estate

The stay effectively reinstates a precautionary freeze:

1. Mining Ban: The Union Environment Ministry has already directed states to halt all new mining leases across the entire Aravalli landscape until a “Comprehensive Management Plan for Sustainable Mining” (MPSM) is finalized.

2. Real Estate: Political friction has intensified in Rajasthan, where the “double-engine” government is accused of pushing real estate projects in devastated ecosystems against the advice of the Forest Survey of India (FSI).

Also Read: Supreme Court Stays Sengar’s Bail: “Substantial Questions of Law” in Unnao Case (2025)

Conclusion

The Aravallis act as a critical natural barrier against the Thar Desert’s expansion into the Gangetic plains. The Supreme Court’s decision to revisit the definition suggests a shift back toward a more holistic ecological protection model rather than a purely topographical one.

Disclaimer: This report reflects the interim judicial status as of December 29, 2025. Final definitions and mining regulations depend on the findings of the newly constituted committee and the January 2026 hearing.

Add businessleague.in as a Preferred Source