The Supreme Court of India on Thursday issued a stern warning to miners operating in the Aravalli Hills, making it clear that all mining activities must stop immediately and the status quo be maintained until further orders. The court said no extraction would be permitted until the Centre and environmental experts clearly determine the ecological boundaries of the sensitive mountain range.

Chief Justice Surya Kant delivered the strong message while hearing an intervention plea linked to pre-existing mining permissions. “All permission is no permission… we say stop mining in the Aravalli, and you stop,” the bench observed, stressing that environmental concerns must take priority. The court underlined that the exact geographical limits of the Aravalli Range are still under debate and must first be scientifically settled.

Responding to senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for a miner claiming his operations lay outside the defined Aravalli zone, the Chief Justice remarked that historical interpretations could expand the range significantly. In a lighter moment, he noted that even the Supreme Court premises and large parts of Jaipur could technically fall within the Aravalli system if historical mapping were considered.

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The bench acknowledged that licensed mining activities have currently come to a halt but said the pause must continue until preliminary environmental and geographical questions are resolved in a phased manner. The court reiterated that ecological protection of the Aravallis — which play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, groundwater recharge and climate regulation across northern India — remains a priority.

The matter stems from the court’s January directions after it took note of illegal mining in parts of Rajasthan, instructing the BJP-led state government to ensure no unlawful extraction occurs. Meanwhile, amicus curiae K. Parameshwar submitted a note outlining potential legal and technical issues. The bench has now asked the Centre and senior lawyers to suggest names of experts for a committee that will examine whether — and to what extent — mining can be permitted.

The controversy intensified after the government introduced a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills, arguing it would resolve inconsistencies among Haryana, Gujarat, Delhi, and Rajasthan. However, the court had in December stayed its own earlier acceptance of that definition, citing “critical ambiguities", including whether criteria such as a 100-metre elevation threshold and 500-metre inter-hill distance could exclude large portions of the fragile range from protection.

Earlier this month, the bench also refused to entertain any proposal related to the Aravalli Zoo Safari project in Haryana, making its position clear. “We will not permit anything today. We are absolutely firm. We will not allow anyone to touch Aravalli as of now,” the court had said, signalling a tough stance on activities that could threaten one of North India’s most important ecological barriers.

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