Government committed to extend all assistance: Bhupender Yadav welcomes SC order on Aravallis

Bhupender Yadav

• Supreme Court stays its order on Aravalli range definition after criticism
• New expert committee formed to review Aravalli definition issues
• MOEFCC pledges support for Aravalli protection and restoration

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Welcoming the Supreme Court's direction to stay its order on the "new definition" of the Aravalli range that was widely criticized, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that the government remains committed to extending all assistance from MOEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) in the protection and restoration of the Aravalli range.

The apex court kept in abeyance the directions in its November 20 verdict that had accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges recommended by a committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC).

A bench led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has also ordered the formation of a new expert committee to examine issues that required to be examined in terms of the definition of Aravallis. The Court has also issued notice to the Centre and the four Aravalli States - Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi and Haryana, seeking their response to its suo motu case on the issue.

"I welcome the Supreme Court directions introducing a stay on its order concerning the Aravalli range, and the formation of a new committee to study issues. We stand committed to extending all assistance sought from MOEFCC in the protection and restoration of the Aravalli range," Yadav said in a post on X.

The SC on November 20 accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges and banned the grant of fresh mining leases inside its areas spanning Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat until experts' reports are out.

The apex court had accepted the recommendations of a committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on the definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges to protect the world's oldest mountain system.

The committee had recommended that "Aravalli Hill" be defined as any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above its local relief, and an "Aravalli Range" will be a collection of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other.