Jaipur (Rajasthan) : Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to put in abeyance its November 20 order that had accepted the Union Environment Ministry’s definition of the Aravalli Hills and the Aravalli Range.
Reacting to the development, Gehlot said the Supreme Court’s intervention reflected public sentiment and urged the government to heed the widespread opposition to the earlier decision. “We are very happy that the Supreme Court has granted a stay today. We welcome it and hope that the government will also understand what the public wants. People from all four states, and across the country, have taken to the streets, spoken to the media, and protested in various forms,” he said.
Gehlot noted that the movement witnessed participation from youth, students, environmental activists, and the general public, underlining that the issue concerns both present and future generations. He warned that further degradation of the Aravalli range could have severe environmental consequences, including worsening air quality in urban areas.
“This is a question of this generation and of future generations. If the Aravalli range disappears, what will happen to this country? Delhi has already become a gas chamber. If the Aravallis are destroyed, how many more gas chambers will be created across the country?” he asked.
Emphasising the ecological importance of the ancient mountain range, Gehlot said expert opinions have consistently highlighted the need for its protection. He criticised the Centre for what he described as a hasty recommendation on redefining the Aravallis and urged the government to reconsider its approach.
The Supreme Court had earlier put on hold its November 20 decision that accepted the Central Environment Ministry’s definition of the Aravalli Hills, a move that had potentially opened large parts of the region to regulated mining activities. A vacation bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih has since ordered the formation of a new expert committee to examine unresolved issues related to the definition of the Aravallis.
The apex court has also issued notices to the Centre and the four Aravalli states—Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, and Haryana—seeking their responses in a suo motu case on the matter.
