New Delhi, Dec 28 (NationPress) The Supreme Court is set to conduct a significant suo motu hearing on the definition of the Aravalli Hills on Monday, focusing on the urgent need to safeguard this ecologically sensitive area in light of the government’s pledges.

According to the causelist available on the apex court's website, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, along with Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih, will deliberate on the suo motu writ petition titled “In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues” on December 29.

This judicial examination was initiated by the Supreme Court, reflecting the rising unease regarding the preservation of the ecologically fragile Aravalli range alongside the government’s repeated commitments to its protection.

In a bold initiative to combat illegal mining and bolster ecological safeguards, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has instructed state governments to enforce a “total ban” on the issuance of new mining leases in the Aravalli region.

The Ministry emphasized that this ban will be uniformly applied across the Aravalli landscape, spanning from Delhi to Gujarat. The aim is to “maintain the continuity of the range as a unified geological ridge” and eliminate unregulated mining practices.

To further enhance conservation efforts, the MoEFCC has tasked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) with identifying additional zones across the entire Aravalli range where mining activities should be prohibited, beyond the already restricted areas mandated by the Centre.

In a related matter, Congress leader and former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh raised pertinent issues regarding the recent redefinition of the Aravalli Hills in a letter to Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav.

Ramesh contended that the new definition limits the classification to landforms with an elevation of 100 meters or more.

On Sunday, he shared the letter on social media platform X, stating, “Here is my most recent letter to the Union Minister of Environment, Forests & Climate Change posing four critical questions regarding the troubling redefinition of the Aravallis.”

In his letter dated December 28, the Congress leader highlighted what he termed as widespread apprehensions concerning the new definition and sought clarification from the minister by formulating four specific inquiries. He addressed Minister Yadav, stating: “There are understandably widespread concerns with the re-definition of the Aravalli Hills that limits them to landforms having an elevation of 100 meters or more. In this connection, please allow me to raise four specific questions for your consideration.”