Terming the environment and ecology national assets, the Supreme Court on Friday suspended all mining activities in the Aravali has in Haryana.

The order means there can be no mining in an area of 448 sq km-more thana third the size of Delhi's 1,438 sq km- across Faridabad, Gurgaon and Mewat that was once supposed to be set aside for a national park.

Stating that the environment and ecology were "subject to inter-generational equity", the court invoked the principle of sustainable development, which, it said, was a part of Article21the Constitution(right to life). The order was passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan.

Noting that none of the statutory requirements had been complied with by the mining lease holders, the court said: "In the circumstances...we hereby suspend all mining operations in the Aravali Hill Range falling in Haryana within the area of approximately 448 sq km in the districts of Faridabad and Gurgaon including Mewat..." The court said the suspension would remain in force till a reclamation plan certified by Haryana, the environment and forests ministry and the court appointed central committee was prepared in accordance with the statutory provisions, rules and guidelines.

On the issue of granting permission to Haryana to excavate minor minerals from a localised area of 600 hectares out of 448 sq km for excavating materials needed for construction of houses, sports complexes and other buildings, the court said it would be considered in July "In the past, when mining leases were granted, requisite clearances for carrying out mining operations were not obtained which have resulted in land and environmental degradation," said the court.

It recalled how the court had in 2004 predicted, "If, despite stringent conditions, the degradation of environment continues and reaches a stage of noreturn, this court may have to consider, at a later date, the closure of mining activity in areas where there is such a risk."