The Supreme Court on Thursday gave a big order regarding mining in the Aravalli hills. The court said that Aravali should be protected and directed Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat not to give final permission for mining activities in the hilly region till further orders.

The bench said that its order will not in any way be construed as a stay on legitimate mining activities which are already being carried out as per valid permits and licenses.

Order issued for four states
Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A.S. Oka's bench said, 'We are passing this order for all the four states (through which the hill range passes).' It made it clear that this order is limited only to mining in the Aravalli hills and its ranges.

What did the court say?
The bench said, 'Until further orders, however, all states where the Aravalli mountain range is situated will be free to consider and further process applications for grant of mining leases and their renewal. But as defined in the FSI (Forest Survey of India) report, no final permission will be given for mining in the Aravalli Hills.

The court said that a report submitted by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has pointed out various illegal mining activities carried out across the state of Rajasthan and also given district-wise details regarding the area under illegal mining.

ordered the formation of a committee
He found that one of the major issues was regarding the different definitions of the Aravalli hills and ranges adopted by different states. The bench ordered the formation of a committee to arrive at a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges.