The Supreme Court on Thursday stopped the grant of fresh mining leases and renewals in what, according to a Forest Survey of India report, constitute the Aravalli ranges and hills.
The Forest Survey of India (FSI) report, submitted by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) in court, defined the Aravallis to include the hills and a uniform 100-metre-wide buffer zone around the downsides of the hills.
“Until further orders, though all States wherein the Aravalli ranges are situated will be at liberty to consider and process applications for grant of mining leases and renewals thereof, no annual permission shall be granted for mining in the Aravalli hills and ranges as defined in the FSI report,” a Special Bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and A.S. Oka directed.
