The apex court on Monday kept in abeyance the directions in its November 20 verdict, in which it had accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges recommended by a Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) committee
"I hope that we are able to bring the strongest protection to the Aravalli Range," said Aaditya Thackeray. PIC/X
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to put in abeyance its November 20 order on the new definition of the Aravalli Hills and Range, calling for permanent protection of the mountain range.
In a post on X, Thackeray described the stay as “a huge but temporary relief” and warned against misinformation suggesting that the Aravalli Range is now safe.
“The stay order from the Hon'ble Supreme Court for the Aravalli Range is a huge but temporary relief. It's important to seal this permanently,” he wrote.
The stay order from the Hon’ble Supreme Court for the Aravalli Range is a huge but temporary relief. It’s important to seal this permanently.
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) December 29, 2025
This wasn’t possible without the mass movement of citizens in Rajasthan, who showed that what matters is our planet, not the dirty…
The apex court on Monday kept in abeyance the directions in its November 20 verdict, in which it had accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges recommended by a Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) committee. The court also proposed the constitution of a high-powered committee of domain experts to undertake an exhaustive and holistic examination of the issue.
Thackeray credited the result to the mass movement of citizens in Rajasthan, who he said demonstrated that “it is the planet that mattered and not the dirty intentions of those wanting to exploit the planet.”
He added, “I hope that we are able to bring the strongest protection to the Aravalli Range and to nature across the country.”
Stand committed for protection and restoration of Aravalli range: Union Environment Minister
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision.
“I welcome the Supreme Court directions introducing a stay on its order concerning the Aravalli range, and the formation of a new committee to study issues. We stand committed to extending all assistance sought from MoEFCC in the protection and restoration of the Aravalli range,” he said in a post on X.
The minister added that a complete ban on mining continues with regard to new mining leases or renewal of old leases.
Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also echoed the minister’s sentiment and said, “We are very happy that the Supreme Court has granted a stay today. We welcome this and hope that the government will also understand what the public wants. The people of all four states, and indeed the entire country, have participated in the movement, taken to the streets, given statements to the media, and protested in various forms. It’s beyond comprehension why the minister does not understand this...”
The MoEFCC committee had earlier recommended redefining the Aravalli hills and ranges. It proposed that an “Aravalli Hill” be defined as any landform in the designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above its local relief, and an “Aravalli Range” be considered a collection of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other. Activists, scientists, and opposition leaders had warned that the redefinition could open vast stretches of the fragile ecosystem to mining.
(PTI and ANI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
