New Delhi, Dec. 29 -- The opposition on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to put in abeyance its earlier decision issued on November 20 to accept the Central Environment Ministry's definition of the Aravalli Hills and the Aravalli Range, while the Government reaffirmed its committment to protect the world's oldest surviving mountain systems.

The top court has also ordered the formation of a new expert committee to examine issues that need to be examined in terms of the definition of the Aravalli.

The top court's acceptance of the definition in November had exposed most of the Aravalli region to the risk of being used for regulated mining.

A vacation bench of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices JK Maheshw...