On Monday, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav rejoiced over the Supreme Court’s decision to halt its previous order regarding the disputed “new definition” of the Aravalli range, considering it to be a good move in the face of heavy outcry.

On his social media post, Yadav stated that the government is still totally devoted to the protection and rehabilitation of the Aravalli hills and that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) would provide any help necessary in this regard. Moreover, he stated that the prohibition on the issuance of new mining leases or the renewal of existing ones in the Aravalli area still stands.

“I welcome the Supreme Court’s direction to stay its order on the Aravalli definition and the formation of a new committee to examine the matter. We stand committed to extending all support from MoEFCC for the protection and restoration of the Aravalli range,” the minister said.

The minister’s remarks come days after he addressed concerns over the revised definition, amid strong reactions from environmentalists and civil society. During a recent press conference, Yadav had assured that no new mining would be allowed in core, protected and ecologically sensitive areas, including the National Capital Region (NCR).

In the past, the highest court of the land sanctioned a “standard definition” put forward by the government, saying that only mountains with a height of at least 100 metres above the surrounding plains, or groups of such mountains, would be considered part of the Aravalli range helping in the regulation. In this manner, the court aimed to settle the protracted issues, yet, on the flip side, it brought up a matter concerning the environment protection with the action.

As a result of the demonstrations, the Supreme Court froze its ruling of November 20 and appointed a panel of specialists to re-examine the issue. The government has viewed this action as an opportunity to jive the environmental concerns with the legal clarity.