Supreme Court forms expert committee to review illegal mining in Aravalli Hills
New Delhi : The Supreme Court has taken serious note of the irreversible environmental damage caused by illegal mining in the Aravalli mountain range and has decided to constitute a high-level expert committee to conduct a comprehensive review of mining and related activities.
The move comes amid growing concern that unregulated quarrying could lead to permanent ecological harm. The Aravalli range, one of India’s oldest mountain systems, stretches across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
It plays a critical role in preventing desertification, maintaining groundwater levels, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring climate stability. However, decades of illegal mining have severely impacted the region, prompting public protests and environmental advocacy.
On November 20, 2025, the Supreme Court had accepted recommendations from the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ expert committee and provided a uniform definition of Aravalli hills. According to this definition, a hill qualifies as part of the Aravalli range if it rises at least 100 meters above the local terrain, and a range is formed by two or more hills within 500 meters of each other.
Environmentalists expressed concern that this definition could leave large sections of the Aravalli hills unprotected, inadvertently enabling illegal mining. In response, the Supreme Court suo motu registered a case and issued an interim injunction on December 29, 2025, acknowledging the ambiguity and calling for a new, high-level expert committee.
The newly formed committee will include domain experts in environmental science, geology, and mining. Working under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court, the panel will conduct a detailed investigation into mining activities and assess environmental risks.
The Solicitor General, Aishwarya Bhati, and Amicus Curiae K. Parameshwar have been directed to submit a list of experts within four weeks. Representing the Rajasthan government, Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj assured the court that steps would be taken to prevent illegal mining, which the Supreme Court has formally recorded.
The court emphasized that ensuring no unauthorized mining occurs in the Aravalli region is critical to preserving its ecological integrity. The committee’s findings will play a crucial role in shaping policy and enforcement measures, potentially redefining conservation strategies for one of India’s most ecologically significant mountain ranges.
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