Amid growing controversy over the definition of the Aravalli hills approved by it earlier, the Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognisance of the issue and is scheduled to hear the matter on Monday. The case has been registered as In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues, reflecting the court’s intent to examine not only the definition itself but also the wider environmental and regulatory implications linked to it.

According to the Supreme Court’s cause list, the matter is likely to be taken up by a three-judge vacation bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Augustine George Masih. The hearing comes in the backdrop of protests and objections raised by environmental activists and civil society groups, who argue that the newly approved definition could dilute protections for one of India’s most ecologically significant mountain systems.

Here are five key facts related to the case and the controversy surrounding it:

1. Uniform definition approved, mining ban imposed

On November 20, the Supreme Court accepted a uniform and scientific definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges. Alongside this, the court imposed a ban on granting fresh mining leases across four states—Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat—until expert studies and reports are finalised. The decision was aimed at bringing clarity and consistency to the long-standing ambiguity over what constitutes the Aravalli range, which has often been exploited for mining and construction.

2. Court-backed recommendations of environment ministry committee

The definition accepted by the court was based on recommendations made by a committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The committee was tasked with proposing measures to protect the Aravalli range, which is widely regarded as the world’s oldest mountain system and plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance in north-western India. The Supreme Court approved these recommendations, giving them legal backing.

3. Clear criteria for ‘Aravalli Hill’ and ‘Aravalli Range’

As per the committee’s definition, an “Aravalli Hill” refers to any landform located in designated Aravalli districts that rises at least 100 metres above the local relief. An “Aravalli Range” is defined as a cluster of two or more such hills situated within 500 metres of each other. The definition also includes the landforms and natural features that lie between these hills. This scientific criterion was intended to reduce subjectivity in identifying Aravalli areas.

4. Link to long-running environmental litigation

The definition was accepted in a 29-page judgment delivered in a suo motu matter connected to the long-running TN Godavarman Thirumulpad environmental litigation, which has shaped forest and environmental jurisprudence in India for decades. In its ruling, the Supreme Court upheld a ban on mining in core or inviolate areas of the Aravallis, while allowing limited exceptions strictly in line with the committee’s recommendations.

5. No new mining leases until sustainable mining plan is finalised

The bench directed that no new mining leases should be granted in the Aravalli region until a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining is prepared and finalised by the MoEF&CC through the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education. Existing mines have been allowed to operate only if they strictly comply with environmental norms. The court also underscored the importance of the Aravallis as a “green barrier” that helps prevent desertification, regulates climate, and supports biodiversity.

The Supreme Court’s decision to revisit the issue through a suo motu hearing reflects the sensitivity and complexity of balancing environmental protection with regulatory clarity. The outcome of Monday’s hearing is expected to have far-reaching consequences for conservation efforts, mining activities, and land-use policies across the Aravalli region.