What Happened
- The Supreme Court refused to allow Haryana to submit its revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Jungle Safari project in the Aravalli region, stating it "will not allow anyone to touch the Aravallis" until the definition of the range is finalised.
- A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi held that the jungle safari issue will be addressed only after experts determine the definition of the Aravalli range.
- Haryana had scaled down its project from 10,000 acres to over 3,300 acres and sought permission to present the revised DPR to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) for examination.
- The Court had earlier (December 29, 2025) stayed its own November 20, 2025 directions that accepted a uniform definition of Aravalli Hills, citing "critical ambiguities" and the need to prevent "regulatory gaps that might undermine the ecological integrity" of the Aravalli region.
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Aravalli Range: Ecological Significance and Legal Protection
The Aravalli Range, stretching approximately 692 km from Gujarat through Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, is one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world (dating to the Proterozoic era). It serves as a critical ecological barrier against desertification of the Indo-Gangetic plains, acts as a groundwater recharge zone, and supports significant biodiversity. Legal protection has come through multiple instruments, including the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) 1900, the Forest Conservation Act 1980, and various Supreme Court orders.
- The PLPA (1900) protected designated villages in Haryana through Section 4 and Section 5 notifications
- The CEC, constituted under the Environment Protection Act, has been monitoring Aravalli protection since 2002
- Supreme Court orders have historically prohibited mining and construction in ecologically sensitive areas of the Aravallis
- Haryana attempted to dilute PLPA protections through amendments, which were challenged in courts
Connection to this news: The Supreme Court's refusal stems from the unresolved question of what constitutes the "Aravalli Range," as any definition directly determines which areas receive legal protection and which become available for development projects like the Jungle Safari.
Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and Environmental Governance
The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) was constituted by the Supreme Court in 2002 to monitor implementation of court orders related to forests and environment. It functions as the Court's advisory body on environmental matters, examining developmental proposals, investigating violations, and recommending actions. The CEC submitted its report on the Aravalli definition issue in March 2024.
- The CEC recommended defining "Aravalli Hill" as any landform in designated Aravalli districts with elevation of 100 metres or more above local relief
- An "Aravalli Range" was defined as a collection of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other
- This definition sparked controversy as critics argued it could exclude low-elevation ridges, scrublands, and valleys that are ecologically part of the Aravalli ecosystem
- The Supreme Court constituted a High-Powered Expert Committee to reassess and clarify the definition after staying the November 2025 order
Connection to this news: The Court's decision to block the Jungle Safari project until the expert committee resolves the definition underscores how unclear ecological boundaries can create regulatory gaps that allow developmental encroachment into protected areas.
Judicial Activism in Environmental Protection
India's Supreme Court has played a pioneering role in environmental jurisprudence, recognising the right to a clean environment as part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21. Through a series of landmark judgements, the Court has expanded the scope of environmental protection using principles like the precautionary principle, the polluter pays principle, and the public trust doctrine. The Aravalli cases represent a continuing exercise of this judicial oversight.
- MC Mehta cases (1980s-1990s) established the foundation for environmental judicial activism
- The doctrine of sustainable development was recognised in Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of India (1996)
- T.N. Godavarman v. Union of India (1997) expanded the definition of "forest" beyond revenue classifications
- The Aravalli protection orders form part of the ongoing T.N. Godavarman case legacy
Connection to this news: The Court's proactive stance on the Aravalli definition reflects its continuing role as guardian of environmental interests, ensuring that executive decisions on developmental projects do not proceed without clear ecological safeguards.
Key Facts & Data
- Aravalli Range stretches approximately 692 km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi
- Haryana reduced its Jungle Safari project from 10,000 acres to 3,300 acres
- CEC definition: Aravalli Hill = elevation of 100+ metres above local relief; Range = two or more hills within 500 metres
- Supreme Court stayed its own November 20, 2025 definition order on December 29, 2025
- A High-Powered Expert Committee has been constituted to resolve the definition
- The bench directed no activity in the Aravallis until the definition is finalised