The Supreme Court on December 28-29, 2025, placed its own November 20 judgment defining Aravalli hills in abeyance, directing a high-powered expert committee to resolve ambiguities on ecological impacts and mining, amid protests from environmentalists.
Background Context
Aravalli Range, spanning 700 km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, acts as a critical green barrier against desertification from the Thar Desert, regulating Delhi's air quality and groundwater recharge.The November 20 verdict adopted a uniform definition—landforms ≥100m above surrounding plains based on ISRO data—overruling state-specific notifications, but faced backlash for potentially excluding vast areas from mining bans, weakening 1992-2003 SC orders prohibiting non-forest activities.
Key Developments
The three-judge bench (CJI Surya Kant, Justices Dipankar Datta, and K.V. Viswanathan) took suo motu cognizance post-public outcry, staying all November directions including expert committee reports until a new panel clarifies hill gaps, mining legality, and biodiversity hotspots. Notices issued to Centre and four states; next hearing on January 21, 2026. This reverses a perceived dilution of protections under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
UPSC Relevance
Links Environment (Prelims GS Paper III/Mains GS III), Polity (Judicial Activism), and Geography (Physical features, Climate regulation). Tests SC's role in environmental federalism, balancing development vs. ecology, echoing cases like TN Godavarman (1995) and MC Mehta vs. Union (Aravalli mining bans). Current linkage to Delhi's air crisis and Rajasthan's mining lobbies heightens exam priority for 2026 Prelims/Mains.
Prelims MCQs
- Q1: With reference to the recent Supreme Court order on Aravalli Hills (Dec 2025), consider: 1. It stays the Nov 20, 2025 judgment defining hills as ≥100m elevation. 2. Directs a new expert committee on ecological impacts. Correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both (d) None
Ans: (c)
- Q2: Aravalli Range does NOT span which state?
(a) Gujarat (b) Rajasthan (c) Haryana (d) Uttar Pradesh
Ans: (d)
- Q3: The SC's abeyance of Aravalli judgment relates to which Act primarily invoked for mining bans?
(a) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (b) Environment Protection Act, 1986 (c) Mines Act, 1952 (d) Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Ans: (b)
Mains Questions
- GS III (Environment): "The Supreme Court's recent intervention in the Aravalli Hills definition underscores the tension between ecological preservation and developmental pressures. Critically examine the implications for India's environmental federalism." (15 marks)
- GS II (Polity): "Judicial suo motu powers, as exercised in the Aravalli case, exemplify proactive environmental governance but raise questions on separation of powers. Discuss with reference to recent precedents." (10 marks)
- GS I (Geography): "Evaluate the role of Aravalli Range in mitigating climate vulnerabilities in northern India, and analyze how definitional ambiguities impact conservation efforts." (15 marks)