Aravalli definition row back in SC, hearing tomorrow, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court initiated suo motu proceedings on the definition of Aravalli Hills, setting the hearing for December 29.
• A three-judge bench headed by CJI Surya Kant will hear the matter regarding the 100-meter elevation definition.
• The Union Environment Ministry panel's recommendation, accepted by the Supreme Court on November 27, defines Aravalli Hills as landforms 100 meters or more above local relief.
• The Central Empowered Committee informed the amicus curiae on October 14 that they did not examine or approve the 100-m definition.

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court sought a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills due to varying definitions across states leading to illegal mining.
• The committee recommended that any landform in Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 meters or more from the local relief should be termed as Aravalli Hills.
• The amicus curiae opposed the 100-meter definition, warning it could open hills below that height to mining, endangering the environment.
• The Centre stated that mining would be prohibited in core areas, except for critical minerals, and sustainable mining would be permitted.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Suo Motu: An action taken by a court on its own without any prompting from the parties.
• Amicus Curiae: An impartial advisor, often a lawyer, to a court of law in a particular case.
• Illegal Mining: Extraction of minerals without legal permission, often causing environmental damage.