Supreme Court: Aravali Hills Mining Halted Pending Environmental Review

Summary: The Supreme Court has addressed the issue of mining in the Aravali Hills, focusing on defining the hills and ranges, stopping illegal mining, and ensuring practices that don't harm the environment. The court has given specific recommendations and orders to protect this sensitive area.

The Importance of Aravali Hills

The Aravali Range is one of the oldest geological features on Earth, stretching across Delhi, Haryana, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. These hills are crucial in stopping desertification by acting as a "green barrier" against the spread of the Thar Desert.

"The Aravali ecosystem acts as a 'green barrier' and forms an effective 'shield' against desertification."

International Obligations and National Actions

India agreed to the United Nations Convention on Combat Desertification in 1996, promising to use combined methods to fight desertification. In response, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) started the "Aravali Green Wall Project" to restore degraded land.

Court Proceedings and CEC Recommendations

The court, led by the Chief Justice and Justice Vikram Nath, looked into two cases about the Aravali Hills. Concerns were raised about mining activities and their impact on the environment. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) was asked to look into these issues and gave several recommendations:

• Mapping the entire Aravali Hill Range.
• No new mining leases until environmental studies are completed.
• Strict control of mining in protected areas and near water bodies.

Defining Aravali Hills and Ranges

A big issue was the lack of a clear definition of the Aravali Hills and Ranges. The court ordered the formation of a committee to create a consistent definition. The committee suggested that any landform with a height of 100 meters or more from the local area be considered part of the Aravali Hills.

Sustainable Mining and Core Areas

The committee recommended stopping mining in core areas, except for essential minerals. The court highlighted the need for a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) to identify areas where mining could happen without harming the environment.

"The Aravali Hills and Ranges also exhibit similar ecological fragility... preventing desertification in the Indo-Gangetic plains."

Summary of the Verdict

The court accepted the committee's recommendations and emphasized the importance of a detailed study to ensure mining practices that don't harm the environment. The MoEF&CC is tasked with preparing a comprehensive management plan.

The judgment highlights the balance between protecting the environment and economic activities, ensuring that future mining in the Aravali Hills is done responsibly and sustainably.