Stay clear of Aravalis till we decide its definition, says SC
New Delhi: Five months after suspending its verdict adopting the controversial 100-metre height definition for the Arabali hills, Supreme Court Friday said that not even an inch of Aravali will be allowed to be used for mining until an expert committee constituted by the Supreme Court redefines what constitutes Arabali hills and ranges.Lawyers appearing for the mining lease holders and those interested in mining leases said that the process of lease renewal and sanction could go ahead without finalizing them, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Jayamalya Bagchi said, “We will not pass any order to allow the resumption of mining operations at Aravali.”“We will not allow even an inch of Arrabli to be used for any purpose unless we are satisfied with the new definition which will be suggested by the Expert Committee constituted by us, taking into consideration the names suggested by Amicus Curiae K Parameshwar, the Central Government and the parties,” the CJI said.Aware of the harmful impact of decades of illegal mining on the environment and ecology of Arabalis, a resident of Haryana and considered the green lung of northwest India, CJI Kant said, “The whole problem has arisen because of the powerful mining lobby. We are very clear in our minds. No activity will be allowed without getting a report for our protection.”On December 29 last year, a bench headed by CJI Kant considered on its own motion the concerns raised by environmentalists over the Supreme Court’s November 20 verdict adopting a definition of 100 meters height for the Arabali hills. It has ordered a halt to all mining activities and renewal or grant of new mining leases in the Arabali region.Staying the proceedings of the Supreme Court’s November 20 verdict indefinitely, the bench then said in its order, “The stay shall remain in force till the present proceedings reach a logical conclusion, ensuring that no irreversible administrative or environmental action is taken based on the present framework.”The CJI-led bench proposed setting up a committee of domain experts for a “thorough, holistic and scientific” examination of the Arabali hills and ranges for a broad definition to protect its “structural and ecological” integrity.Amicus curiae and senior advocate Parameshwar told the court that a list of domain experts in consultation with the government has been submitted to the court. The bench said it will soon list the matter for constituting a committee after hearing the parties.
