Rajasthan's Aravali region is facing scrutiny due to the extensive presence of mining leases. Over 1,230 such leases, many of which are disputed, exist within the state's Aravali range, covering a total area of 17,393 hectares. The concentration of these leases varies across districts, with Rajsamand alone accounting for over 540. Udaipur follows with 162 leases, while Jaipur has 139. Alwar, Sirohi, and Bhilwara collectively hold over 250 leases, indicating the widespread impact of mining activities throughout the Aravali belt.
The situation has prompted increased attention to the environmental consequences of mining in the area. Mining expert Pradeep Singh noted visible and, in some cases, irreversible environmental degradation in areas where leases are operational. These impacts include the hollowing out of hills, thinning of forest cover, and disruption of natural drainage systems.
In response to growing concerns, the central government has imposed a ban on the granting of new mining leases in the Aravali region. This decision follows public outcry and a proposed "new definition" of the Aravali range. The Union environment ministry has tasked the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) with identifying additional landforms and zones where mining should be prohibited. This initiative aims to expand the areas protected from mining, considering the local topography, ecology, and biodiversity. States spanning the Aravali range, including Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, have been instructed not to grant any new mining leases until a comprehensive Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is finalized.
The Supreme Court has also taken cognizance of the matter, signaling a renewed judicial examination of the definition of the Aravali Range and its implications for mining and environmental protection. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, is scheduled to hear the case. The court's intervention comes amid concerns that a 100-meter height-based definition of Aravali hills, adopted earlier, could weaken conservation safeguards for the range. Environmentalists argue that this definition could significantly reduce the area officially recognized as Aravali hills, as much of the range is low-lying.
Despite the ban on new leases, existing mining operations continue to function, with many leases under dispute and pending in courts. Rajasthan has a total of 16,116 mining leases, with approximately 10,060 currently operational, along with nearly 18,000 quarry licenses. The state mining department had issued notifications for 126 new leases in November 2025, with 50 located within Aravali districts and 76 outside the region. However, the future of these leases remains uncertain in light of the recent ban and ongoing legal proceedings.
The Aravalli range is known to host significant reserves of minerals like lead, zinc, silver and copper. The Aravalli-Delhi system has also been identified as having significant potential for critical minerals such as tin, graphite, molybdenum, niobium, nickel, lithium, and rare earth elements.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing debate and scrutiny from various stakeholders. The government has stated that it is preparing a scientific management plan, to be evaluated by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), with sustainability as the key criterion for any future decisions.
