Indian court halts order redefining mineral-rich Aravalli hills

India’s top court has halted implementation of its five weeks-old order that opened up the mineral-rich Aravalli hills, one of the world’s oldest, for more extensive mining and real estate.

In a rare move, the Supreme Court on Monday voluntarily decided to reconsider its Nov. 20 order setting a 100-meter elevation threshold for protecting these ancient hills, after widespread protests. The range acts as an effective barrier against the spread of the Thar desert and shields the country’s capital New Delhi from sandstorms that could make its already toxic air even worse.

The 800-kilometer Aravalli range stretches from Delhi to Gujarat, passing through western states of Haryana and Rajasthan. The hills are considered crucial ecologically, providing a natural barrier against desertification, and are also an important groundwater recharge zone with rich biodiversity.

More than 70 different minerals are found in the mining resources rich Aravalli hills — including copper, zinc, lead, silver, tungsten, and asbestos. Of these, 65 are being extracted on commercial scale, according to the government.

A top court bench, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, said the order redefining the Aravalli hills needs clarifications. Another committee of experts will be required to examine the environmental impact of the recommendations made by a previous panel, it added. The court agreed to reassess its order and will hear the case again on Jan. 21.

The Supreme Court last month had sided with the federal government’s recommendation to redefine Aravalli hills on the basis of elevation, affirming that only landmasses more than 100 meters high would be considered as Aravalli. However, the court had also ordered that the government cannot grant new mining leases in the region till it formulates a sustainable mining policy.

The move lowered environmental protections thresholds for most of the range, potentially opening up large swathes for more extensive mining, real estate and other projects.

The ruling faced severe backlash from citizen groups and environmentalists despite the government’s statement asserting that Aravalli hills will remain under “robust protection.”

The government will extend all assistance for protection and restoration of the Aravalli range, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said in a post on X on Monday. “As things stand, a complete ban on mining stays with regards to new mining leases or renewal of old mining leases.”

(By Shruti Mahajan)