The Supreme Court on Monday said that some clarifications were needed regarding the definitions it had recently approved for the Aravalli Hills. The top court also stayed a ruling it had passed last month on the issue.Earlier, on November 20, the Supreme Court had accepted the Central Environment Ministry’s definition of the Aravalli Hills and the Aravalli Range.

This definition could have allowed regulated mining in most parts of the Aravalli region. However, the court now said that the environmental impact of recommendations made by an earlier panel must be examined by a committee of experts. The previous panel was mostly made up of bureaucrats, and the court believes an independent expert assessment is necessary before implementing any decisions.

The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant along with Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih, emphasised that a fair and scientific assessment was needed. They questioned whether the narrow definition of the Aravalli range, which restricted it to a 500-metre belt, could create a “structural paradox.” This is because it might shrink the conservation zone while allowing mining in other areas.

The court also raised concerns about gaps between hill formations. For example, if two hill areas over 100 metres tall are separated by about 700 metres, it is unclear whether mining should be allowed in such spaces. The judges stressed the importance of maintaining the ecological continuity of the ancient Aravalli hills and ensuring the structural integrity of the range.

Chief Justice Surya Kant said a high-powered expert committee should be formed, including domain experts in environmental science and ecology, to analyse the earlier report. Scientific and environmental expertise, the court said, should guide all future decisions regarding mining and conservation in the region.

The Supreme Court was hearing a suo motu case on the Aravalli Hills amid controversy and public protests. The November 20 order had banned fresh mining leases across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat until expert reports were finalised.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to keep its earlier order in abeyance until January 21. He said this was a setback for the Centre’s efforts to redefine the ecologically sensitive Aravalli region.

The court’s decision underlines the importance of protecting the Aravalli Hills, one of India’s oldest mountain ranges, while ensuring any mining or development is carefully regulated based on scientific and environmental assessments.