Syllabus: GS3/Environment & Ecology
Context
- The recent judgment of the Supreme Court of India, which redefined the Aravalli Hills by adopting an arbitrary ‘100-metre local relief’ criterion, prioritizes administrative convenience over ecological and scientific coherence, marking a decisive rupture in India’s environmental jurisprudence.
Background and Judicial Interpretations
- The Supreme Court of India, in its November–December 2025 order, finalized a uniform and scientific definition of Aravalli Hills and Aravalli Ranges to regulate mining and ensure ecological protection.
- It was followed by earlier directions issued in May 2024 and in August 2025, mandating a standardized, evidence-based approach across all concerned States.
- The Court recognized the Aravalli range’s critical ecological role as a natural shield against desertification, a groundwater recharge zone, and a biodiversity habitat.
Supreme Court’s Acceptance and Directions
- The Supreme Court accepted the Committee’s recommendationsin full in its final order and issued the following directives:
- Definition Acceptance: The Court formally adopted the MoEF&CC definitions for Aravalli Hills and Aravalli Ranges.
- Mining Restrictions: Mining is prohibited in core/inviolate areas, except for critical, strategic, and atomic minerals under the MMDR Act, 1957.
- Sustainable Mining: Mining operations must strictly follow the Committee’s guidelines for environmental compliance and sustainability.
- Preparation of MPSM: The MoEF&CC, through the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), needs to prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) across the entire Aravalli landscape.
- Moratorium on New Leases: No new mining leases shall be granted until the MPSM is finalized.
- Ongoing Mining Regulation: Existing mines may continue operations only under strict environmental compliance.
- The Supreme Court observed that uncontrolled mining in the Aravallis poses a ‘great threat to the ecology of the nation’ and emphasized the need for uniform protection criteria.
| Findings of MoEF&CC Led Committee – It found that only Rajasthan had a pre-existing operational definition of the Aravalli Hills (based on the Richard Murphy Landform Classification, 2002), identified landforms rising 100 metres above local relief as hills. 1. During consultations, all States agreed to adopt and refine this definition for uniformity and ecological clarity. – Key Recommendations: The Committee proposed major enhancements: 1. Uniform elevation criterion: All landforms rising 100 metres or more above local relief to be classified as Aravalli Hills. 2. Protection of ranges: Hills within 500 metres proximity to be recognized as Aravalli Ranges. 3. Survey-based mapping: All Aravalli hills and ranges to be marked on official Survey of India maps. 4. Protection of core/inviolate areas: No mining in Protected Areas, Eco-Sensitive Zones, wetlands, or CAMPA sites. 5. Strict regulation and monitoring: Surveillance mechanisms (drones, CCTV, and district task forces) to prevent illegal mining. 6. Sustainable mining framework: Mining only in pre-designated, scientifically assessed zones. Operational Definitions of Aravalli Range & Hills – Aravalli Hills: Any landform in the Aravalli districts rising 100 metres or more above local relief, determined by the lowest contour line encircling the landform. 1. The entire area, including the hill, slopes, and supporting terrain forms part of the Aravalli Hill. – Aravalli Range: Two or more Aravalli Hills within 500 metres proximity, measured from their outermost contour boundaries, collectively form an Aravalli Range. 1. The area between them, including valleys, slopes, and connecting landforms is deemed part of the range. Ecological Significance of the Aravallis – The Aravalli Hills are among India’s oldest geological formations, stretching from Delhi through Haryana, Rajasthan, and into Gujarat, recognized across 37 districts. They act as: 1. A natural barrier against the expansion of the Thar Desert; 2. A groundwater recharge system supporting agriculture and livelihoods; 3. A biodiversity hotspot sustaining unique flora and fauna; and 4. A climatic stabilizer mitigating pollution and temperature extremes in the NCR region. |
Concerns & Issues Surrounding Recent Judgement
- Flawed Metrics and Misapplied Statistics: MoEF&CC led Committee relied on district-wise average elevation to justify the 100-metre threshold, which is scientifically unsound for a terrain as heterogeneous as the Aravallis, where elevations range from 20 to 600 metres.
- Consequently, thousands of smaller hills, crucial for groundwater recharge, wildlife corridors, and soil stability, risk exclusion from legal protection.
- Ignored Warnings and Compromised Expertise: The Amicus Curiae explicitly warned that adopting the 100-metre rule would open lower hills to mining, effectively dismantling the ecological integrity of the Aravallis.
- The committee that finalized the definition lacked independent ecologists and social scientists, reducing complex ecological concerns to administrative details.
- Problem of Legal Definitions: The Court’s acceptance of an ‘operational definition for mining’ raises serious concerns.
- Legal definitions are not neutral instruments, and once areas fall outside their scope, they are effectively stripped of environmental protection and assessment measures like EIA.
- Fragmenting the Aravallis: The Aravalli ecosystem functions as an interconnected system as low hills, foothills, and aquifers operate in tandem.
- Protecting only the tallest peaks while disregarding the surrounding low-relief formations amounts to ecological amputation.
Efforts Safeguarding Aravallis
- Ecological Safeguards and Enforcement:
- Landscape-Level Protection: Treating the Aravallis as a continuous geological ridge ensures connectivity between ecosystems and prevents ecological fragmentation.
- Transparent and Objective Mapping: Mandatory use of Survey of India maps makes enforcement objective and verifiable.
- Technological Enforcement: Deployment of drones, GPS tracking, weighbridges, and district task forces strengthens real-time monitoring against illegal mining.
- Biodiversity and Groundwater Conservation: By protecting slopes, foothills, and connecting valleys, the framework maintains:
- Habitat connectivity for wildlife;
- Groundwater recharge zones;
- Soil stability and vegetation cover.
- Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM): The forthcoming MPSM, modeled after the Saranda Forest Plan in Jharkhand, aims to:
- Identify permissible and prohibited mining zones;
- Assess ecological carrying capacity and cumulative impacts;
- Establish restoration and rehabilitation protocols post-mining; and
- Ensure landscape-level conservation of the entire Aravalli ridge system from Gujarat to Delhi.
| Constitutional & Legal Frameworks – Article 21 (Fundamental Right to Life): Judicial interpretation has expanded this to include the right to a pollution-free environment and healthy living conditions. – Article 48A (DPSP): Directs the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. – Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duties): Imposes a duty on every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. – Legislative Support: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 defines ‘environment’ broadly, covering air, water, land, and their interrelationships. Safeguards For Mining and Ecological Protection – Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: Requires prior approval from the central government for using forest land for non-forest purposes, including mining. 1. Mining projects need to undergo rigorous scrutiny and obtain Forest Clearance from MoEFCC. 2. EIA Notification, 2006: Mandates environmental clearance for mining projects based on their size and potential impact.Includes public consultation and environmental management plans. 3. Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), 2017: Ensure scientific mining, environmental protection, and post-mining land reclamation. |
Conclusion: Judicial Responsibility
- Historically, the Supreme Court has been the custodian of India’s environmental conscience, upholding the principle that the State is a trustee of natural assets under the Constitution.
- However, the recent judgement threatens to dilute that legacy.
- The Court needs to revisit this decision to restore scientific integrity and reaffirm its commitment to environmental stewardship.
- Preserving the Aravallis demands more than procedural compliance, it requires a jurisprudence rooted in ecological literacy, precaution, and intergenerational responsibility.
| Daily Mains Practice Question [Q] Examine the implications of the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of India redefining the Aravalli Hills for India’s environmental jurisprudence. How does it balance ecological preservation with administrative interpretation? |
