In a landmark decision celebrated across Rajasthan, the Supreme Court has put a decisive stay on the contentious 100-metre definition used to demarcate the Aravalli mountain range. This move has sparked widespread jubilation among environmentalists, conservation groups, and political leaders, who view it as a critical shield for India's oldest and most fragile mountain ecosystem against unchecked mining, construction, and real estate development.
A Victory for Environmentalists and Grassroots Movements
The court's intervention halts what activists had long decried as an arbitrary and diluted interpretation of the Aravalli's boundaries. Experts feared this narrow definition would have exposed vast stretches of ecologically sensitive land to irreversible destruction. Professor LK Sharma from Central University of Rajasthan, a noted expert on the subject, hailed the ruling as monumental. He emphasized that the victory is a direct result of the relentless struggle by grassroots activists, environmentalists, and concerned citizens nationwide who rallied under the #SaveAravallis banner.
The Supreme Court has also explicitly continued the ban on all mining activities within the region. The bench has scheduled the next crucial hearing in this matter for January 21, 2026, ensuring the protective status quo remains for the foreseeable future.
Political Consensus and Calls for Stronger Protection
The ruling has found rare bipartisan support. BJP leader Rajendra Rathore welcomed the decision as historic and far-sighted. He urged the Rajasthan state government to establish a dedicated Aravalli Development Authority to ensure long-term conservation. Rathore highlighted that the newly formed expert committee will now analyze an existing report, which the court observed was previously misinterpreted, and submit fact-based suggestions.
From the opposition, Tikaram Jully, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly, called the stay a resounding victory. He poetically described the Aravallis as the sacred 'tilak' on Rajasthan's forehead—its identity and shield. Jully accused the mining mafia of attempting to erase this mark and vowed to continue the fight for the range's complete protection.
The Road Ahead: Demands for Ecologically Sensitive Status
While celebrating the stay, environmental advocates are pushing for more permanent safeguards. Neelam Ahluwalia of the Aravalli Virasat Jan Abhiyaan stressed the urgent need to declare the remaining Aravalli range an Ecologically Sensitive Region (ESR). She argued that this ancient mountain range requires absolute protection, not so-called 'sustainable mining plans.'
"No mining is sustainable in such a fragile ecosystem," Ahluwalia asserted, calling for all limiting definitions to be scrapped entirely to guarantee the Aravallis' future. The Supreme Court's stay has provided a crucial breathing space, but the final battle for its comprehensive and irreversible conservation is set to continue.
