Скачать или смотреть Supreme Court puts Aravalli redefinition on hold, stays 100-metre hill criteria

The Supreme Court on Monday put in abeyance its November 20 directions that had accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges, giving a major breather to the ecologically sensitive region.

A vacation bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant heard a suo motu case on the Aravallis and ordered that the earlier committee’s recommendations, along with the court’s November 20 order, will remain on hold. The bench also proposed constituting a high-powered expert committee to carry out a holistic review of the issue.

Environmentalists welcomed the decision, saying the court recognised the ecological continuity of the Aravalli region and raised concerns over limiting the definition to only a fraction of the hill range. They had earlier warned that redefining an ‘Aravalli hill’ as a landform rising at least 100 metres above surrounding areas could expose large stretches to mining and construction, impacting water security, air quality and biodiversity.

There were widespread protests after the Supreme Court accepted the new definitions in November, with environmental groups asserting that the Aravallis act as a crucial ecological shield, especially for Delhi and the National Capital Region.

Opposition parties also welcomed the court’s move, noting that several expert bodies, including the Forest Survey of India and the Central Empowered Committee, had opposed the redefinition. Rajasthan’s state government reiterated its commitment to protecting and conserving the Aravalli range.

The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre and other stakeholders and listed the matter for further hearing on January 21.

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