The Supreme Court on Monday stayed its own order from last month on a new definition of the Aravalli mountain range, a decision that activists and scientists alleged could open vast stretches of the fragile ecosystem to mining. A vacation bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant said, “We deem it necessary that the recommendations of the committee and directions of this court be kept in abeyance. (The) stay will remain in effect till constitution of (a new) committee.”
The court issued notice to the federal government and four concerned states, and also directed the formation of a new panel of experts, and set January 21 as the next date of hearing.