Top court seeks names for expert committee to define Aravallis
Supreme Court seeks expert names to define Aravalli hills and ranges.
The Supreme Court has requested the Environment Ministry and other stakeholders to propose names of domain experts for a committee tasked with defining the Aravalli hills and ranges. This action follows concerns raised about a new definition of the Aravallis. The court has put its November 20 directions, which accepted a uniform definition of these hills, in abeyance. Furthermore, all mining activities in the Aravalli region have been temporarily halted. The court's intervention aims to ensure lawful mining practices in the area and address the outcry over the revised definition of the Aravallis.
This matter is crucial for environmental conservation and sustainable development in India, carrying implications for land use, mining regulations, and ecological balance. This news is relevant for the UPSC exam, particularly the Environment & Ecology section (GS Paper III).
Key Facts
The Supreme Court asked for names of domain experts.
The expert panel will define the Aravalli hills and ranges.
The court observed that only lawful mining would be allowed.
The court took note of the outcry over the new definition of the Aravallis.
The court kept in abeyance its November 20 directions.
All mining activities are stalled.
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper III (Environment and Ecology): Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
GS Paper I (Geography): Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Potential questions on environmental legislation, mountain ecosystems, and sustainable development practices.
In Simple Words
The Aravalli hills are like a natural wall that affects the weather and water in Rajasthan and nearby areas. The Supreme Court wants experts to clearly define where these hills start and end. This is to stop illegal mining and protect the environment.
India Angle
Many villages depend on the Aravalli hills for water and farming. If the hills are damaged by mining, it affects their lives directly. Defining the hills properly can help protect these communities.
For Instance
Think of it like drawing a boundary around a park in your city. If the boundary is clear, everyone knows where they can and cannot build, keeping the park safe.
Protecting the Aravalli hills means protecting our water, air, and the livelihoods of people who depend on them. It's about ensuring a healthy environment for everyone.
Define the Aravallis, protect our future.
Expert Analysis
The Supreme Court's intervention in defining the Aravalli hills highlights the complexities of environmental law and the balancing act between development and conservation. Several key concepts are central to understanding this issue.
The Aravalli Range is one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world, stretching approximately 692 kilometers across Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi. Its ecological significance lies in its role as a biodiversity hotspot, a crucial water recharge zone, and a natural barrier against desertification. The redefinition of the Aravallis could potentially impact the extent of protected areas and influence permissible activities like mining and construction, hence the Supreme Court's concern.
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the central government to take measures necessary for protecting and improving the environment. This act provides the legal framework for regulating activities that may harm the environment, including mining. The Supreme Court's directive to form an expert committee aligns with the Act's objective of ensuring environmental protection through informed decision-making.
The concept of Sustainable Development is also crucial here. Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In the context of the Aravallis, this means finding a balance between economic activities like mining and the long-term ecological health of the region. The Supreme Court's emphasis on 'lawful mining' reflects this principle.
For UPSC aspirants, understanding the geographical significance of the Aravalli Range, the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, and the principles of sustainable development is essential. Questions in both prelims and mains can be framed around the ecological importance of mountain ranges, environmental legislation, and the challenges of balancing development with environmental conservation.
Visual Insights
Aravalli Range Extent
Map showing the approximate extent of the Aravalli Range across India.
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More Information
Background
Latest Developments
In recent years, there has been increasing focus on sustainable mining practices and environmental regulations in India. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has been working on streamlining environmental clearances and promoting responsible mining.
Several reports have highlighted the ecological damage caused by illegal mining in the Aravalli region. These reports have emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of environmental laws and the adoption of sustainable land management practices.
Looking ahead, the definition of the Aravallis by the expert committee will be crucial in determining the future of mining and development activities in the region. The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the importance of balancing economic development with environmental protection.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Aravalli Range: 1. It is one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world. 2. It stretches across five states: Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. 3. It acts as a natural barrier against the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 3 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is CORRECT: The Aravalli Range is indeed one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in the world. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: The Aravalli Range stretches across four states: Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi, NOT Uttar Pradesh. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The Aravalli Range acts as a barrier against the WESTWARD expansion of the Thar Desert, not eastward.
2. Which of the following statements best describes the role of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 in the context of the Aravalli hills?
- A.It provides guidelines for promoting tourism in the Aravalli region.
- B.It empowers the central government to take measures for protecting and improving the environment, including regulating activities in ecologically sensitive areas.
- C.It focuses solely on regulating mining activities in the Aravalli region.
- D.It establishes a national park in the Aravalli hills.
Show Answer
Answer: B
Option B is the most accurate. The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the central government to take measures for protecting and improving the environment. This includes regulating activities in ecologically sensitive areas like the Aravalli hills.
3. Assertion (A): The Supreme Court has intervened to define the Aravalli hills and ranges. Reason (R): There is a lack of a clear and consistent definition of the Aravallis, which has hampered effective enforcement of environmental regulations. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true but R is false.
- D.A is false but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The Supreme Court intervened because the lack of a clear definition of the Aravallis has hindered the enforcement of environmental regulations.
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Source Articles
Aravalli row: Supreme Court asks Environment Ministry, others to suggest names of domain experts for panel - The Hindu
Hindenburg Research report on Adani Group | Supreme Court verdict on expert committee on March 2 - The Hindu
Adani-Hindenburg case | Petitioner alleges links between SC’s expert committee members and Adani, wants fresh panel - The Hindu
Atiq Ahmed killing | Plea in Supreme Court for independent expert panel probe - The Hindu
NCERT textbook row: Kerala Education Minister welcomes SC intervention, seeks probe - The Hindu
About the Author
Anshul MannEnvironment & Climate Policy Analyst
Anshul Mann writes about Environment & Ecology at GKSolver, breaking down complex developments into clear, exam-relevant analysis.
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