In a major move aimed at protecting the ecologically fragile Aravalli range, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has directed all concerned states to impose a complete ban on the grant of any new mining leases across the Aravallis, which stretch from Delhi to Gujarat.
The ministry said the prohibition will apply uniformly across the entire Aravalli landscape and is intended to preserve the integrity of the ancient geological range by curbing illegal and unregulated mining activities.
The directions seek to safeguard the Aravallis as a continuous ridge extending from Gujarat to the National Capital Region, amid long-standing concerns over rampant mining and environmental degradation.
The Centre has also directed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify additional areas across the Aravallis where mining should be prohibited, over and above the zones already barred by the government. This exercise will be based on ecological, geological and landscape-level considerations.
As part of the process, ICFRE has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive, science-based Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire Aravalli region. The plan will assess cumulative environmental impact and ecological carrying capacity, identify conservation-critical and ecologically sensitive areas, and outline measures for restoration and rehabilitation. The draft will be placed in the public domain for stakeholder consultation.
For mines already in operation, the ministry has directed state governments to ensure strict compliance with environmental safeguards and conformity with Supreme Court orders. Ongoing mining activities are to be regulated stringently, with additional restrictions to ensure adherence to sustainable mining practices.
The government said it remains fully committed to the long-term protection of the Aravalli ecosystem, recognising its critical role in preventing desertification, conserving biodiversity, recharging aquifers and providing essential environmental services to the region.
Source: India Today