Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance on Aravalli Hills Definition Amid Rising Environmental Concerns

New Delhi, Dec 2025 : The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of issues concerning the definition and protection of the Aravalli hills and ranges, reflecting mounting concerns over the ecological fragility of the region. As per the causelist published on the apex court’s website, a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, and Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih will hear the suo motu writ petition titled “In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues” on December 29.

The move comes amid growing public and environmentalist concerns over unregulated mining, habitat degradation, and threats to biodiversity across the Aravalli landscape, which stretches from Delhi to Gujarat.

In a parallel effort to reinforce ecological protection, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has issued instructions to state governments to impose a “complete ban” on granting any new mining leases within the Aravallis. The Ministry emphasised that this prohibition will be uniformly enforced across the entire range to preserve the integrity of the Aravallis as a continuous geological ridge and curb unregulated extraction activities.

Further strengthening the conservation framework, MoEF&CC has tasked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) with identifying additional zones across the Aravalli range where mining must be strictly prohibited. This identification process will consider ecological, geological, and landscape-level factors to ensure that sensitive and critical areas are protected.

ICFRE has also been directed to prepare a comprehensive, science-based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) covering the entire Aravalli region. The plan will be released in the public domain for wide stakeholder consultation and is expected to assess cumulative environmental impacts, ecological carrying capacity, and conservation-critical areas. It will also outline measures for restoration, rehabilitation, and long-term sustainability.

For operational mines, the Centre has instructed state authorities to ensure full compliance with environmental safeguards in accordance with Supreme Court directives.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Friday criticised the Congress for allegedly spreading misinformation, reaffirming that the BJP government remains committed to protecting the ecological, cultural, and religious significance of the Aravallis.

Protests have erupted in multiple districts, including Udaipur, Jodhpur, Sikar, and Alwar, against the approval of mining activities, with demonstrators demanding stricter enforcement and warning of intensified agitation. Environmentalists have voiced concerns that the November 20, 2025 Supreme Court order, which defined Aravalli hills as landforms over 100 metres in elevation, excludes more than 90% of the range from protection.

Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav addressed these concerns in a letter titled “Ek Patti Alwar Ke Naam”, assuring that the Aravalli range, including Alwar with key sites like Sariska Tiger Reserve and Siliserh Lake, remains fully protected. He emphasised that the government is committed to balancing environmental conservation with sustainable development while preventing illegal mining.

The Supreme Court hearing on December 29 is expected to provide clarity on the definition, legal safeguards, and enforcement measures to ensure the long-term protection of India’s ecologically critical Aravalli hills.

Team Maverick.