Overview
- The bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant asked the environment ministry and other stakeholders to submit names and profiles of domain experts, with written notes due by March 10.
- Status quo on all licensed mining continues as the court said it will permit only lawful mining after expert input on where, and to what extent, activity may be allowed.
- The court said it will constitute the expert committee and frame the issues for determination at the next hearing.
- The panel is expected to re-examine the operational definition based on a 100‑metre elevation and 500‑metre gap, assess ecological impacts, and delineate areas of the Aravalli system.
- The court’s November 20, 2025 acceptance of the 100‑metre definition remains in abeyance since December 29, 2025, and the MoEF&CC’s December 24, 2025 direction barring new mining leases stands; the amicus also flagged a 2010 Rajasthan-origin height criterion and an unrevealed 2025 FSI dissent.