On Monday, the Supreme Court, while hearing the Aravalli case, stayed its own order from last month regarding the new definition of the mountain range. This followed allegations from activists and scientists that the earlier Supreme Court order could open up vast areas of the fragile ecosystem to illegal and unregulated mining.
Hearing the case, a vacation bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said, "We deem it necessary to keep the recommendations of the committee and the directions of this court in abeyance. This stay will remain in effect until the (new) committee is constituted."
Supreme Court seeks response from the government.
Following the hearing, the Supreme Court issued notices to the central government and the four concerned states. It also directed the formation of a new panel of experts and set the next hearing date for January 21.
The entire matter began when the central government notified its new definition, which activists and experts alleged was formulated without adequate assessment or public consultation. It was argued that this could put large parts of the Aravalli range in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat at risk of mining.
What was the Supreme Court's order in November?
In November this year, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to prepare a comprehensive plan for sustainable mining before allowing any new mining activity in the region. During today's hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, arguing on behalf of the Centre, stated that the court had accepted that plan last month.
What did the CJI say during the hearing?
However, the CJI contradicted this, stating that "We believe that the committee's report and the court's observations are being misinterpreted. Some clarification is needed, and before implementation, the opinion of an impartial, neutral, and independent expert should be considered."
The CJI also added that such a step is necessary to provide clear guidance... It needs to be determined whether this (new definition) has broadened the scope of non-Aravalli areas... thereby facilitating the continuation of unregulated mining.
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