Centre Reaffirms Protection of Aravalli Region Amid Mining Concerns
Over 90% of Aravalli Region Remains Protected, Centre ClarifiesNew Delhi:
Amid rising concerns over mining in the Aravalli range, the Union government on Sunday clarified that more than 90 per cent of the Aravalli region will continue to remain protected, rejecting allegations that a new definition of the hills would allow widespread mining.Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav described the claims as misleading and stressed that no dilution of environmental safeguards has been made.
● Key Highlights
90% Protection Assured:The Centre said over 90 per cent of the 1.44 lakh sq km Aravalli region remains under protection.Limited Mining Area:Only 0.19 per cent of the Aravalli landscape is eligible for legally approved mining.
No New Mining Leases:A Supreme Court-ordered freeze is in place on new mining leases until a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining is finalised.
● Supreme Court’s Role
The Supreme Court approved the uniform definition of Aravalli hills on November 20.The definition aims to remove ambiguity caused by differing state-level interpretations.The court is monitoring long-pending cases related to illegal mining in the region.
● What the New Definition SaysAravalli Hill:
A landform with an elevation of 100 metres or more above local relief.
Aravalli Range:Two or more such hills located within 500 metres of each other.
Key Clarification:Protection applies to the entire hill system, including base areas—not just hilltops.
● Mining Restrictions Explained
Land below 100 metres is not automatically open for mining.Mining is strictly prohibited in:Core and inviolate areas Protected forests Eco-sensitive zonesTiger reserves and wetlandsLimited exemptions allowed only for critical and strategic minerals in national interest.
● States Covered
Rajasthan
Haryana
Gujarat
Delhi (no mining permitted)
● Committee & SafeguardsCommittee
formed in May 2024 under the Environment Ministry.Adopted Rajasthan’s 2006 Aravalli definition with added safeguards:Mandatory mapping using Survey of India mapsHills within 500 metres treated as a single rangeClear identification of no-mining zones.
● Government’s Stand Minister Bhupender Yadav accused critics of spreading “misinformation.”
“No relaxation has been granted,” he said.The government reaffirmed its commitment through initiatives like the Green Aravalli Movement.
● Why It Matters
The Aravallis are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.They play a crucial role in:Preventing desertification Recharging groundwater Supporting biodiversity.
The Centre maintains that the revised definition, approved by the Supreme Court, strengthens protection rather than weakens it, ensuring environmental conservation while preventing misuse of mining rules.
