The chief minister had directed officials to carry out a joint campaign by joint teams of all the concerned departments for curbing and preventing bid of illegal mining or other prohibited and harmful activities along the entire mountain range in the state.
File Photo: IANS
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma reassured that not even a single new mining lease would be granted to any one in the Aravallis, reaffirming his government’s full commitment to protecting and conserving the oldest mountain range of India.
Presiding over a high-level joint review meeting of the officers of the Environment, Forests, Mining and the Police Departments, Sharma said, “Any activity, including illegal mining, that might harm Aravallis, ecology, environment, fauna or flora to even slightest extent, would not be tolerated or allowed.”
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The chief minister had directed officials to carry out a joint campaign by joint teams of all the concerned departments for curbing and preventing bid of illegal mining or other prohibited and harmful activities along the entire mountain range in the state.
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The state government has also prepared a Green Aravallis Development Project of Rs 250 crore that would work on the massive afforestation (plantation) in 3200 hectares in 15 Aravallis districts of the state.
Despite categorically repeated assurances from the Chief Minister Sharma, NGOs and activists and leaders of non BJP opposition parties were apprehensive in the aftermath of the November 20 Supreme Court verdict that allowed mining in mountains with peak height of less than 100-mtr.
The worries grow further in the wake of allegations by experts from different walks of life, including ex-CM Ashok Gehlot, Waterman of India Dr Rajendra Singh and PUCL president Kavita Srivastava about the process or grant of new leases in November-December 2025.
The PUCL on Friday claimed, quoting an order, that around 50 mines were in the process of auction. “There is the list of 50 mines now put up for auction by the mining department of the GoR on 2nd December. Despite SC orders saying a NO to all mining leases till the sustainable management action plan is not made”, the NGO stated.
Accordingly, agitations by various groups are continuing in different districts.
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