The Supreme Court has thrown its weight behind safeguarding the Aravali mountain range, ordering an immediate freeze on the current situation and a complete clampdown on unauthorized mining. This decisive intervention aims to curb rampant environmental degradation in one of India’s most critical biodiversity hotspots.
Chief Justice Suryakant, leading a trio of judges, heard arguments on Wednesday and announced plans for a court-monitored expert panel. The committee, to include domain specialists, will conduct an in-depth study and provide recommendations on Aravali conservation, functioning solely under judicial oversight.
Rajasthan farmers’ counsel Raju Ramchandran urged the court to intervene against persistent breaches of prior rulings. Mining permits continue to be issued, and vegetation clearance persists, he argued, defying the 2024 Justice Oka bench directive. CJI Suryakant voiced strong displeasure, stressing that such illegality must cease as it poses existential risks to the ecosystem.
State authorities received a stern directive: deploy all resources to enforce the ban. Suggestions for committee members from environmental, scientific, and mining sectors were solicited from stakeholders. Separately, the bench will address definitional ambiguities around forests and Aravalis.
Four weeks’ time was allowed to amicus K. Parameshwar for a thorough report on Aravali boundaries. Recalling its earlier suspension of definition-related orders, the court is signaling a comprehensive approach to restore and protect this fragile landscape from commercial exploitation.