In light of recent discussions surrounding the Aravalli hills and mining activities, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has clarified the government's stance, emphasizing a commitment to environmental protection and sustainable practices. Yadav stated that no new mining leases will be granted in the Aravalli region until a comprehensive management plan for sustainable mining (MPSM) is finalized. This plan will apply to the entire Aravalli landscape. He also stressed that all existing mines must adhere strictly to the central committee's safeguards.
The minister addressed concerns about a revised definition of the Aravalli hills, which was accepted by the Supreme Court. He refuted claims that this new definition would lead to a relaxation of mining regulations within the Aravalli range. Yadav clarified that the definition is solely for mining purposes and aims to protect the Aravalli range. He accused the Congress party of spreading misinformation regarding the Aravalli hills.
The Supreme Court directed the Environment Ministry to formulate the Mining Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli range before considering any new leases. This plan, to be prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), will be modeled after the Saranda Forest model. The MPSM will identify permissible mining zones, ecologically sensitive and conservation-critical areas where mining will be strictly prohibited, assess cumulative environmental impacts and ecological carrying capacity, and lay down detailed post-mining restoration and rehabilitation measures.
Yadav specified that mining is prohibited in protected areas, eco-sensitive zones, tiger reserves, wetlands, and CAMPA plantation sites, as well as the Delhi-National Capital Region. He emphasized the government's commitment to preventing illegal mining in the Aravalli region.
The minister clarified that only 0.19% of the total 1.44 lakh sq km area of Aravalli is eligible for mining. He explained that the Supreme Court's definition does not relax any restrictions and that the apex court appreciated the government's Green Aravalli movement. The court's directive to finalize the MPSM acts as a preventive measure against immediate ecological damage, ensuring landscape-level conservation. This approach aims to conserve biodiversity habitats, protect groundwater recharge zones, check desertification from the Thar, and safeguard the Delhi-NCR region's critical green lungs.
The minister noted that the central committee used globally accepted scientific standards to identify landforms rising 100 meters above the local relief as hills, prohibiting mining on both the hill and its supporting slopes. He also stated that areas within 500 meters between two hills would be treated as part of the same range.
