01Environment·8 min read·Prelims · Mains
Supreme Court considers bigger public participation in defining Aravalli
The Supreme Court's intervention in defining the Aravalli hills is an important case study for environment and governance exams. Prelims can test details of the judgment and the ecological significance of the Aravalli range. Mains may explore judicial oversight in environmental protection, mining regulation, and the balance between development and conservation. UPSC and RPSC candidates should note this as it involves a national ecological issue with specific relevance to Rajasthan.
- The Supreme Court on May 25, 2026 stated that an expert committee to define the Aravalli hills and ranges must ensure larger public participation through consultations with domain experts and stakeholders.
- A previous Supreme Court judgment in November 2025 had defined the Aravalli as having elevations of 100 metres or above and hill clusters within 500 metres of each other, but it was stayed after the court found that only 1,081 out of 12,081 hills in Rajasthan would meet the 100-metre threshold.
- The Court has barred fresh or renewed mining leases in the Aravalli region without prior permission of the apex court.