The Supreme Court on Monday stayed its earlier order accepting the Centre’s new definition of the Aravalli range, which limited the mountain range to areas with a height of 100 metres or more. Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav welcomed the decision, while the Congress demanded his resignation over the issue.
The top court, while hearing a suo motu case, put its earlier order on hold and directed the formation of a new committee to comprehensively examine the definition of the Aravalli range.
Under the earlier definition, only land parcels with a height of 100 metres or above were to be considered part of the Aravalli range. This had triggered widespread protests by environmental activists and citizens, particularly among the youth, who alleged that the move would open vast stretches of ecologically sensitive land to mining and construction.
Reacting to the court’s order, Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said, “I welcome the Supreme Court’s directions staying its earlier order on the Aravalli range and constituting a committee to study the issue. We remain fully committed to extending all assistance required from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the protection and restoration of the Aravallis.”
He further clarified that “a complete ban on mining continues to remain in force with respect to new mining leases as well as the renewal of old leases.”
An ancient mountain range is on trial
Meanwhile, the Congress party welcomed the Supreme Court’s intervention, describing it as a necessary corrective step. Senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said, “The Supreme Court has risen to right a wrong. As people rose in unison, the Court chose caution over haste.”
Calling the order a “judicial pause,” Surjewala added that although the verdict is not final, it reflects a responsible approach aimed at preventing irreversible environmental damage. “The Aravallis can breathe easier today because constitutional caution has prevailed over the reckless policies of a government bent on destroying one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges,” he said.
He further remarked that while the legal battle is far from over, accountability, ecological protection and environmental justice have finally entered the conversation.
Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also welcomed the Supreme Court’s directions but demanded the resignation of Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav. In a social media post, Ramesh said that the issue would now be examined in greater detail and added that, in light of the court’s observations, the minister must step down from his post