India, Dec. 30 -- Rajasthan Congress leaders and environmental activists on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to stay its November 20 order on the new definition of the Aravalli range, terming it a victory for all those fighting for the protection of the hills for the past month.

The apex court kept in abeyance the directions in its November 20 verdict that had accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges recommended by a committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It also proposed to constitute a high-powered committee comprising domain experts to undertake an exhaustive and holistic examination of the issue.

The Congress and environmental activists had strongly opposed the redefini...