The minister said the government remains fully dedicated to protecting and restoring the Aravalli hills. He added that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) would provide all support needed to safeguard the region.
Minister Shares His Response on Social Media
In a post on X, Yadav praised the Supreme Court for pausing its earlier order and for setting up a new committee to review the matter. He wrote:
“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. As things stand, a complete ban on mining stays with regards to new mining leases or renewal of old mining leases.”
Government Reaffirms Mining Ban in Sensitive Areas
Yadav’s comments came just days after he addressed the media amid strong public reaction to the “new definition” of the Aravalli range. During that press conference, he had clearly stated that no new mining leases would be allowed in core, protected, and environmentally sensitive areas, including those in the National Capital Region (NCR).
What the Supreme Court Earlier Said
Earlier, while accepting the government’s “new definition” of the Aravalli range, the minister had said:
“The ruling recognises and endorses the Government of India’s sustained efforts to protect the Aravalli range through scientific assessment, strict safeguards and initiatives such as the Aravalli Green Wall Project.”
The Supreme Court had agreed with a proposal from the central government on how the Aravalli hills should be officially identified.
What Is the ‘New Definition’ of Aravalli
In its November ruling, the Supreme Court said that only hills that rise at least 100 metres above the surrounding land or groups of such nearby hills would be considered part of the Aravalli range for legal and regulatory purposes.
The court accepted this “standard definition” to help settle long-running disputes over which areas should be classified as Aravalli hills.
Why the Decision Sparked Controversy
Although the new definition was meant to bring clarity, many environmental experts and activists worried that it could weaken protection for large parts of the Aravalli region. They argued that the narrow ecological view could harm conservation efforts and long-term sustainability.
Because of these concerns, the Supreme Court has now paused its earlier order and set up a committee to review the issue further.
