New Delhi, Dec. 28 -- The Supreme Court on Saturday took suo motu cognisance of concerns surrounding the definition of the Aravalli Range, amid mounting criticism from environmentalists and opposition parties over its potential impact on the fragile mountain ecosystem.

A three-judge vacation bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant is scheduled to hear the matter on December 29.

The development comes after objections were raised to the Centre's newly notified definition of the Aravalli mountain range, which is based on a 100-metre height criterion. Environmentalists have warned that the revised definition could open up vast stretches of the ancient mountain range across Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat to mining activities.

Environmentalist...