Supreme Court will hear the Aravali dispute. (file photo)
Digital Desk, New Delhi. Amidst the concerns, deepening controversy, agitation and increasing criticism from environmentalists and opposition parties regarding the definition of Aravalli Range, the Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance and decided to hear the matter again. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice (CJI) Justice Surya Kant will hear the matter on Monday.
Apart from the CJI, this bench may also include Justices JK Maheshwari and Augustine George. The bone of contention is the Centre's new definition of the Aravalli range, which is based on the 100 meter height criterion. Environmentalists say that due to this uniform criteria, about 90 percent of the ancient Aravalli range spread over Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat can be taken out of the category of 'Aravalli', which will pave the way for mining activities there.
Mining lease was banned
Earlier on November 20, the Supreme Court, accepting a uniform and scientific definition of the Aravalli mountain range, had banned the granting of new mining leases in the areas falling within its scope in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat. This ban will remain in effect until the experts' report comes out.
The definition of Aravalli given by the Center and accepted by the court
The Supreme Court has accepted the recommendations of the committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. According to the committee, any landform located in Aravalli district, whose height is 100 meters or more above the local ground level, will be considered as 'Aravalli Hills'. At the same time, two or more such hills located within a distance of 500 meters will together be called 'Aravalli Range'.
Environmentalists worried, mining will increase in Aravalli
According to news agency ANI, environmentalist Neelam Ahluwalia, associated with Aravali Virasat Jan Abhiyaan, has called the definition "completely unacceptable" and has demanded the Supreme Court to withdraw its order of November 20 and the Center to cancel the new definition. She alleges that this change was made without adequate scientific study and public consultation.
He said that there can be no concept of 'sustainable mining' in a sensitive mountain ecosystem like Aravali. The main objection of environmentalists is that the height-based definition ignores the complex and ancient geomorphic form of the Aravalis.
They say that this will have a serious impact on water security, food security and climate balance, which are related to the lives of crores of people. Also, questions are being raised on the government's claim that only two percent of the area will be affected by the new definition, because no concrete data related to this has been made public.
Why is the court not assessing the recommendation of CEC?
Critics also reminded that the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court had recommended conducting a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of the entire Aravalli range in March 2024, which has not been done so far.
Environmentalists claim that legal and illegal mining is already going on in 37 districts of the Aravalli region, leading to deforestation, decline in groundwater levels, pollution of rivers and health crises.
Environmental organizations are demanding that mining be put on hold until there is an independent scientific assessment and public consultation, and clarification on how much area will actually be protected under the new definition compared to the old forest survey criteria.
Also read: After Aravali, these are the oldest mountains of India, see their history here