More than a year after the Supreme Court directed the Centre to define the Aravalli Hills and Ranges to curb illegal mining, a high-level committee headed by the Union Environment Secretary has submitted its report proposing that any slope rising over 100 metres from the base should qualify as part of the Aravalli Hills.

The report — the first to establish a uniform definition for the Aravallis — also recommends banning new mining leases within the identified hills and ranges, except for projects involving critical, strategic, or atomic minerals.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Bhushan R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran will consider the report on 11 November and hear objections raised by various states.

The eight-member committee comprised forest department secretaries from D

See Full Page