The Supreme Court on Friday had turned down requests by the mining lease operators for immediate measures in the wake of the query it had received about “quite disturbing” information with regard to the mining activity taking place in the ecologically-sensitive regions of the Aravalli hills.
Chief Justice Surya Kant, presiding over the bench, with Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that the issue was “serious environmental issues”, which could not be dealt with “bit by bit”. Once the court was satisfied with the environmental protection measures and expert opinions, no mining can proceed without mandating the same.
The Supreme Court is now redarshing a case suo motu relating to the concept and protection of the Aravalli hills and ranges, one of the oldest mountains in the world, which are dotted across the three States of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The bench expressed its opinion on the hearing that if any of the mining lease(s) was cancelled, then the parties concerned would be able to take action in court on a one-to-one basis, but would not allow the court to pass any order in favour of the lease holders at that stage.
In November 2025, the Supreme Court had agreed to a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills suggested by a government-appointed committee and announced a ban on fresh mining licences in the area until expert reports are concluded.
The committee had suggested that heights of landforms exceeding 100 metres above the local relief in designated districts should be likened to an “Aravalli Hill” and cluster of such hills within 500 metres of each other should be considered as an “Aravalli Range”. Assuring the fragile environment is still a priority,” wrote the court.