The Supreme Court has placed in abeyance its November 20 judgment concerning the definition and protection of the Aravalli hills. This decision follows widespread controversy and public outcry over the earlier ruling, which stated that hills with less than 100 meters elevation would not be subject to mining restrictions. Environmentalists and locals expressed concerns that this definition could weaken protections and increase vulnerability to mining and construction. The court also imposed a temporary ban on new mining leases in affected states pending expert reports.