The Supreme Court on Tuesday emphasised that its priority was to protect the Aravalli hills and ranges, not to criticise officials, as it granted a final two-month extension to a panel tasked with framing a “uniform definition” of the ecologically sensitive region.
A bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria was hearing a matter concerning illegal mining across the Aravalli range, which stretches through Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat. The court noted that the absence of a common definition has led to varying yardsticks among states when granting mining permissions.
“This is a policy issue that needs to be settled. We could have taken a serious view of the delay, but we are not interested in castigating the officers. We are only interested in protecting the Aravalli hills and ranges,” the bench observed.
The committee, formed last year after the court flagged discrepancies in state-level definitions, was originally directed on May 27 to submit its final report within two months. That deadline expired on July 27. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, said multiple meetings had been held and data from the four states was being analysed, but more time was needed.
Granting time until October 15 “by way of a last chance,” the court suggested that the panel, including its technical support committee, meet regularly—virtually if necessary—to complete the task.
The bench also warned that continued uncontrolled mining could cause severe ecological damage to the Aravalli region. “We do not want any further damage to the Aravallis,” it said, stressing the need for urgent action.
In its earlier order of May 9, 2024, the apex court had directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the four concerned states to jointly address mining activities in the region.
