NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said illegal mining continues in the Aravali hills and ranges despite its ban, causing irreversible ecological damage, and ordered Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan to take all measures to stop it. “There are people who are incorrigibly engaged in illegal mining, which has devastating consequences for Aravalis. Illicit mining has to be stopped at all costs,” said a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi. On Dec 29, the bench took suo motu cognisance of environmentalists’ concerns over its Nov 20 order accepting the 100-metre-elevation definition of Aravali hills and ranges, and stopped all mining, including renewal and grant of new leases, across the Aravalis in four states. It also put on hold its earlier order allowing preparation of a management plan for sustainable mining. The SC will also constitute an expert body for Aravalis, which will function under the apex court.The bench asked amicus curiae K Parameshwar, additional solicitors general Aishwarya Bhati and K M Nataraj, and senior advocates, including Kapil Sibal, to suggest names of experts — environmentalists, geologists, naturalists and forest experts – within four weeks. These names will help the court form an expert body to carry out an “exhaustive, holistic and scientific” examination of the Aravali Hills and Ranges for a comprehensive definition to protect its “structural and ecological” integrity. “The expert body will work under the direct supervision and control of the Supreme Court,” the CJI-led bench said in its order.Till the expert body is formed, a comprehensive study is conducted and recommendations submitted to the court, the states shall “take all possible steps to stop illegal mining activities and prosecute the offenders,” the court said. Refusing to entertain multiple intervention applications, the bench said it would not allow certain vested interests to derail the attempts to preserve and protect Aravali ranges, which is the last defence against Thar desert extending its debilitating influence on the fertile Gangetic plain. Issues that had pricked the court’s mind and led to reopening of the issue are – whether the 500-metre separation between two Aravali Hills created a structural paradox for the Range; whether it broadened the non-Aravali areas within the Range to allow unregulated mining activities; and, the sanctity of the 100-metre-elevation definition. Another issue flagged by court was: “Whether the widely publicised criticism asserting only 1,048 hills out of 12,081 in Rajasthan meet the 100-metre-elevation threshold, thereby stripping the remaining lower ranges of environmental protection, is factually and scientifically accurate?”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Makes No Sense…” Ex-US Army Officer Slams Trump Over India-US RelationsUK, EU FTAs to Unlock New Export Opportunities for Assam Tea: Himanta Sarma’Rupture In World Order’: EU Blasts Trump Over ‘Bullying’; Danish MP Fires Shock Message For US PresOperation Prahar: Punjab Police Raid Locations Linked to 60 Foreign GangstersIndia Will Surpass Japan To Become 3rd Largest Economy: Gita Gopinath At World Economic Forum 2026Democracy Took Roots In India In 600 BC, Long Before The World: CEC Gyanesh KumarExplained: Why India-EU ‘Mother Of All Deals’ Matters As Trade Talks Enter Final High Stakes PhasePakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Inaugurates Fake Pizza Hut Outlet, Trolled on Social Media’Influencers, AI And Deepfakes’: Indian Army Exposes Pakistan’s Digital War During Operation SindoorIndus Waters Flashpoint: Pakistan Cries Crisis At UN As India Hardens Terror Stance Post Pahalgam123Photostories’Dhurandhar 2 – The Revenge’: A quick recap of Part 1 before Ranveer Singh’s teaser dropsFrom ‘Naagzilla’ to ‘The Odyssey’: The much-awaited fantasy movies releasing in 2026How to make Dhaba-Style Amritsari Paneer Bhurji for dinner at homeNot just the Beckhams: 5 famous family feuds that shocked the worldUnseen gems: Rare photos of Rajesh KhannaLaughter Chefs Season 3 to bring major changes: OG Arjun Bijlani, Ankita Lokhande–Vicky Jain return as Team Kaanta vs Churi endsJapanese Ambassador relishes biryani with bare hands: 6 times global leaders have shown love for Indian food10 Asian cities with the longest commute time to work2 Indian chicken dishes among top 17 in the worldDaily practices you can do for planetary balance123Hot PicksSilver price todayBudget 2026Karnataka DGP ScandalGold price predictionNitin NabinPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMatthew StaffordTravis KelceDonald Trump PlaneUdaipur Car AccidentJonathan KumingaCandace OwensDonna KelceJohn Harbaughs WifeKlay ThompsonsAshwini Vaishnaw
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said illegal mining continues in the Aravali hills and ranges despite its ban, causing irreversible ecological damage, and ordered Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan to take all measures to stop it. “There are people who are incorrigibly engaged in illegal mining, which has devastating consequences for Aravalis. Illicit mining has to be stopped at all costs,” said a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi. On Dec 29, the bench took suo motu cognisance of environmentalists’ concerns over its Nov 20 order accepting the 100-metre-elevation definition of Aravali hills and ranges, and stopped all mining, including renewal and grant of new leases, across the Aravalis in four states. It also put on hold its earlier order allowing preparation of a management plan for sustainable mining. The SC will also constitute an expert body for Aravalis, which will function under the apex court.The bench asked amicus curiae K Parameshwar, additional solicitors general Aishwarya Bhati and K M Nataraj, and senior advocates, including Kapil Sibal, to suggest names of experts — environmentalists, geologists, naturalists and forest experts – within four weeks. These names will help the court form an expert body to carry out an “exhaustive, holistic and scientific” examination of the Aravali Hills and Ranges for a comprehensive definition to protect its “structural and ecological” integrity. “The expert body will work under the direct supervision and control of the Supreme Court,” the CJI-led bench said in its order.Till the expert body is formed, a comprehensive study is conducted and recommendations submitted to the court, the states shall “take all possible steps to stop illegal mining activities and prosecute the offenders,” the court said. Refusing to entertain multiple intervention applications, the bench said it would not allow certain vested interests to derail the attempts to preserve and protect Aravali ranges, which is the last defence against Thar desert extending its debilitating influence on the fertile Gangetic plain. Issues that had pricked the court’s mind and led to reopening of the issue are – whether the 500-metre separation between two Aravali Hills created a structural paradox for the Range; whether it broadened the non-Aravali areas within the Range to allow unregulated mining activities; and, the sanctity of the 100-metre-elevation definition. Another issue flagged by court was: “Whether the widely publicised criticism asserting only 1,048 hills out of 12,081 in Rajasthan meet the 100-metre-elevation threshold, thereby stripping the remaining lower ranges of environmental protection, is factually and scientifically accurate?”
