No new mining permission in Aravallis until further order: Supreme Court

Attempting to strike a balance between protecting the environment and the livelihood of the people engaged in mining activities, the court stressed that its order will not in any way be construed as a stay on mining already being carried out in the range with valid permits and licences.

The Haryana government had sought the Supreme Court's approval to begin mining in the Aravallis in Gurugram and Faridabad.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and A S Oka said all states home to the Aravalli range will be free to consider and process applications and renewals for grant of mining leases.

However, they would be able to grant final permission without the court's nod.

The bench pointed out that illegal mining was a big issue in the Aravallis and said that different states had different definitions of the Aravalli hills and range.

It said a report submitted by the Central Empowered Committee had pointed to various illegal mining activities being carried out across Rajasthan and had also given district-wise details.

"We believe that the issue related to mining activities in the Aravalli Hills needs to be jointly addressed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as well as all the four states," the bench said.

The court also ordered setting up a committee to prepare a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills and range.

The panel, which has been asked to submit a report within two months, will consist of the secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, forest secretaries of the four states and one representative each from the Forest Survey of India and the Central Empowered Committee.