NEW DELHI, Dec 29— The Supreme Court on Monday said it would re-examine the uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges that it had accepted last month, pausing the implementation of its earlier directions on the issue.
Read more: How a Supreme Court Definition Could Decide the Fate of the Aravallis
The vacation bench said a fresh, expert-driven assessment was needed and proposed the formation of a high-powered committee to conduct an exhaustive and holistic study.
The court said the directions issued in its November 20 verdict, including those based on recommendations of an expert panel, would remain suspended for now. “There are issues which will require clarification,” the bench observed.
The earlier judgment had accepted the recommendations of a committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to safeguard the Aravalli range, considered the world’s oldest mountain system.
Under the accepted definition, an “Aravalli Hill” was described as any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above the local relief. An “Aravalli Range” was defined as a cluster of two or more such hills located within 500 metres of each other.
The committee had also said that the entire landform enclosed by the lowest contour — including slopes and associated features, regardless of gradient — would be treated as part of the Aravalli Hills.
Following concerns over the scope and implications of the definition, the court issued notice to the Centre and other parties and scheduled the matter for hearing on January 21.
