Legally wronged
33 years after the first court case, illegal mining and real estate projects continue to destroy the Aravallis
April 1985 | M C Mehta files a writ petition against 69 respondents. The petition, which triggers a series of court cases on the Aravallis, is ongoing
1991 | Tarun Bharat Sangh files a writ petition to ban 262 mines in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan. In April 1993, the apex court bans illegal mining in protected areas 1995 | A petition filed against the decision to construct 13 five star hotels in Delhi's Vasant Kunj Ridge. The court allows just one hotel and sets up the Ridge Management Board (RMB) 1998 | The apex court revises its ban to 1 km, leaving most of the Aravallis unprotected. Rampant mining and construction activities follow
May 2002 | Acting on RMB, the apex court bans mining and pumping of groundwater within 5 km of DelhiHaryana side and in the Aravallis December 16, 2002 | The apex court allows mining in areas approved by the environment ministry under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 (FCA). Haryana government informs construction was allowed in some regions in the Aravalli forest that were treated as revenue land. This was a violation of the 1996 T N Godavarman verdict May 8, 2009 | The apex court observes large-scale violation of the 1992 Aravalli Notification and orders suspension of all mining leases in Faridabad and Gurgaon
January 28, 2011 | The apex court directs all states to draw and implement action plans to restore village commons to Panchayats. The judgement halts privatisation of village commons
December 2017 | NGT directs Haryana to take action against any nonforestry activity in forest areas including Gair Mumkin Pahar
March 1, 2019 | The apex court put a stay on the Haryana legislative Assembly amendment
1990 | Shekhar Singh files a writ petition demanding regulations to check real estate and mining activities in Raisena hills in Gurgaon
May 7, 1992 | The Centre issues the Aravalli Notification, making environment clearances mandatory for new industries, mining and developmental activities
May 10, 1996 | In the M C Mehta case, the apex court takes cognisance of pollution caused by mining in Badkal and Surajkund lakes. The court stops mining within 2 km radius of the lakes February 14, 2000 | The apex court bans mining activities in notified areas like sanctuary, park, or game reserve
October 2002 | The apex court bans mining activities in the Aravallis
May 14, 2008 | The apex court reviews the areas identified as revenue land and denies the permission for construction in them
February 19, 2010 | The Supreme Court orders Forest Survey of India to map mining areas in Aravalli hills in Rajasthan
2011 | In Lafarge Umiam Mining (P) ltd v Union of India, the apex court says forestland cannot be termed as nonforest land for projects
July 2015 | National Green Tribunal (NGT) directs Haryana to stop construction in areas recorded as Gair Mumkin Pahar or unculturable land
October 2018 | The apex court cancels the allocation of land in Faridabad for a housing complex. The state amends the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900 in February 2019, to bypass the judgement
March 2019 | NGT bans mining within 1 km of the Balaram Ambaji sanctuary in Gujarat