Aravallis — Centre puts complete ban on new mining leases, expands protected zone

Facing flak over the new 100-metre definition for the ecologically-sensitive Aravalli hills, the Environment Ministry on Wednesday announced a complete ban on the grant of new mining leases across the entire Aravalli Range from Delhi to Gujarat; and also asked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify additional areas or zones where mining should be prohibited.

The prohibition, it said, applied uniformly across the entire Aravalli landscape and was aimed at preserving the integrity of the ancient geological ridge while curbing illegal and unregulated mining activities. The directions seek to safeguard the Aravallis as a continuous ecological and geological formation extending from Gujarat to the National Capital Region, according to an official statement issued by the ministry.

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It also directed the ICFRE to identify additional areas or zones across the Aravallis where mining should be prohibited, over and above the areas already notified by the Centre. This identification will be based on ecological, geological and landscape-level considerations.

“The ICFRE has been directed to undertake this exercise while preparing a comprehensive, science-based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli region. The Plan, which will be placed in the public domain for wide stakeholder consultation, will assess the cumulative environmental impact and ecological carrying capacity, identify ecologically sensitive and conservation-critical areas, and lay down measures for restoration and rehabilitation.

“This exercise by the Centre would further enlarge the coverage of areas protected and prohibited from mining in the entire Aravallis, keeping in mind the local topography, ecology and biodiversity,” it said

For mines already in operation, the Centre said concerned state governments must ensure strict compliance with all environmental safeguards and in conformity with Supreme Court orders.

“Existing mining activities are to be regulated stringently, with additional restrictions where necessary, to ensure environmental protection and adherence to sustainable mining practices.

“The Government of India stands fully committed towards long-term protection of the Aravalli ecosystem, recognising its critical role in preventing desertification, conserving biodiversity, recharging aquifers, and environmental services for the region,” it added.