SC accepted govt's 100-m Aravalli rule, its own panel had opposed it, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court (SC) accepted the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)'s new 100-metre definition for Aravallis on November 20.
• The SC's own Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had opposed this recommendation, suggesting the adoption of the Forest Survey of India (FSI) definition instead.
• The FSI had mapped 40,481 sq km as Aravallis in 15 districts of Rajasthan, defining them as areas above a minimum elevation with a slope of at least 3 degrees.
• An internal assessment by the FSI indicated that the 100-metre definition would exclude 91.3% of 12,081 Aravalli Hills (20 meters or higher) across 15 districts in Rajasthan.

Detailed Insights:

• In May 2024, the SC directed the ministry to form a committee to establish a uniform definition for Aravalli to protect the hills from mining activities.
• The CEC expressed concerns that the MoEF&CC's 100-metre definition could lead to ecological consequences, including the expansion of the Thar Desert.
• The amicus curiae presentation to the court emphasized that the 100-metre definition would compromise the integrity of the Aravalli as a geographical feature.
• The Environment Minister stated that mining is allowed in only 0.19% of the Aravalli, but the ministry has not addressed the future scope for mining in the lower segments excluded by the 100-metre definition.
• The FSI refuted claims that its study showed 90% of the Aravalli Hills would be left unprotected by the SC judgement, clarifying it was an internal assessment.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Aravalli Range: A mountain range in northwestern India, one of the oldest fold mountains in the world.
• Central Empowered Committee (CEC): A committee set up by the Supreme Court to monitor and ensure compliance of its orders related to environment and forests.
• Forest Survey of India (FSI): An organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change responsible for assessing forest resources in the country.