New Delhi, Jan. 22 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed states, especially Rajasthan, to ensure the immediate stoppage of illegal mining and felling of trees in the ecologically sensitive Aravalli range, even as it clarified that a high-powered panel of independent domain experts would soon be constituted to comprehensively re-examine issues arising from its earlier judgment that narrowed the definition of the Aravallis to landforms rising at least 100 metres above the surrounding terrain. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant continued its stay on the court's November 20 judgment. The bench, also comprising justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, underscored that while regulatory frameworks may exist, "indiscriminate mining cannot be allowed", warning that illegal activity in the Aravallis leads to "irreversible consequences and destructive results". "Any illegal activity has to be stopped immediately," the bench told the Union government and the state of Rajasthan, after senior advocate Raju Ramachandran flagged ongoing instances of illegal mining and felling of trees in the region despite prohibitory directions issued by the court. The court made it clear that it did not view the proceedings as adversarial. As part of this exercise, the court said it would constitute an expert body comprising specialists from diverse and related fields. The panel will work under the "direct supervision" of the Supreme Court and will examine all pertinent questions surrounding the definition, delineation and protection of the Aravalli range. P6...