The Supreme Court took up a long-pending suo motu matter concerning the definition and scope of the Aravalli Hills/Ranges, an issue with significant implications for environmental protection and mining activities in the region.

A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant revisited concerns arising from the Court’s earlier and contentious interpretation of the Aravalli range, particularly in the context of large-scale mining and ecological degradation.

The Court proposed to constitute an expert committee to assist in resolving the complex scientific and environmental questions involved. The Bench requested the Union Ministry concerned to suggest a panel of domain experts along with their profiles, and also invited senior counsel appearing in the matter to propose names of eminent experts for consideration by the Court.

The Chief Justice acknowledged that, as a consequence of earlier orders, several activities particularly mining operations for which licences had already been granted have come to a standstill. However, the Bench clarified that the existing status quo would have to be maintained for the time being, until certain preliminary issues are examined and answered in a phased manner.

The Court directed that the matter be listed on a subsequent date at 2:00 PM for the purpose of considering the constitution of the expert committee and taking the process forward.