"Not Even An Inch”: Supreme Court Stops Mining In Aravali Region

The Supreme Court of India has ordered a complete stop on mining in the Aravali hills. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said no mining will resume until a new scientific definition of the fragile range is finalised by an expert panel.

Reiterating a hard line during the hearing, the bench stressed that no interim relaxation would be granted. Lawyers for existing mining leaseholders and applicants for new leases urged that processing of leases should continue while final clearance awaited, but the court flatly declined any such request.

Supreme Court Aravali mining ban linked to new expert definition

The Chief Justice said, "We will not allow an inch of Aravali to be used for any purpose unless we are satisfied with the new definition". The court made clear that the revised description must protect both the structure and ecology of the ancient range before any activity restarts.

The case reached this stage after the Supreme Court questioned a previous judgment that had adopted a 100 metre elevation benchmark to define Aravali hills. Environmental groups had challenged that yardstick, warning that vast stretches of lower terrain could then legally face mining, increasing ecological stress across the region.

On 29 December last year, a bench headed by CJI Kant took suo motu cognisance of concerns about the 20 November ruling that endorsed the 100 metre criteria. The court stayed that decision, froze all mining and stopped grant or renewal of leases anywhere in the Aravali landscape.

Supreme Court Aravali mining case focuses on lobby influence and damage

During the latest hearing, the bench again cited the long record of illegal extraction in the hills. CJI Kant linked the crisis to what was described as a "powerful mining lobby", and underlined that the court would insist on strong environmental safeguards before considering any fresh operations in the range.

The Chief Justice observed, "The whole problem has arisen because of the powerful mining lobby. We are very clear in our minds. No activity will be permitted without us getting the report". The bench also called the Aravalis the green lungs of north western India, stressing their importance for the wider region.

To settle the scientific questions, the Supreme Court had earlier proposed creating a committee of specialised experts. The panel is tasked with carrying out a detailed study and drafting a comprehensive, protective definition of the Aravali hills, aimed at preventing further irreversible environmental harm in the already stressed range.

Senior advocate and amicus curiae K Parameshwar told the court that a list of experts had been submitted after talks with the government. The bench said the case would be listed soon for formal appointment of the committee, and confirmed that all mining leases will remain frozen until its report is received.