Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance in Aravalli Hills Row, Hearing on This Date
Amidst the controversy surrounding the 'new definition' of the Aravalli hills, the Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter. The court will hear the case on Monday.
The case, titled "Definition of Aravalli Hills and Range and related issues," will be heard on December 29.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant will hear the case. The bench will also include Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih.
Earlier, following recommendations from the central government, the Supreme Court had accepted a definition of the Aravalli hills according to which only landmasses at least 100 meters (328 feet) high from the surrounding land would be considered Aravalli hills.
Two or more such hills, located within a 500-meter radius and with land between them, would then be considered part of the Aravalli range.
What environmentalists say?
Environmentalists argue that defining the Aravalli hills solely on the basis of height would open the door to mining and construction on many hills that are less than 100 meters tall, covered with vegetation, and crucial for the environment.
Amidst the protests against the 'new definition' of the Aravalli hills, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued a statement.
According to the statement, the central government has issued directions to the states completely prohibiting the granting of any new mining leases in the Aravalli region. This ban will apply uniformly across the entire Aravalli range.